“Is there a way to make them less cryptic? To get clearer answers?”
“There might be.” An idea formed. “We could try reaching out to theCodexintentionally instead of waiting for it to show you visions. We were planning on doing that today anyway.”
Interest sparked in her eyes. “Do you think it will work?”
“It's worth trying. The stronger your connection to it becomes, the clearer its messages should be.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.” She nodded decisively.
Brandon flipped the sign on the door to Closed, then ushered Muriel into his office. He cleared a space among the plants, lit candles of lavender and mugwort—herbs known to enhance psychic connection—and pulled out cushions for them to sit on.
When Muriel entered with theCodex, the ancient grimoire seemed to pulse with anticipation.
“Ready?” he asked.
She settled onto the cushion across from him, theCodexin her lap. “Ready.”
“Close your eyes. Ground yourself the way I taught you. Feel the earth beneath you, your magic settling and centering.”
She did. Her breathing deepened, her shoulders relaxed, and he felt a surge of pride. She’d come such a long way in such a short time.
“Now, place your hands on theCodex. Open yourself to it. Feel its energy. Don't force anything, just invite it. Ask it to show you what you need to know.”
Muriel's hands settled on the leather cover. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then power surged through the room like a wave crashing against shore. Brandon's magic rose instinctively, wrapping around Muriel's to keep her grounded even as theCodex's ancient energy poured into her.
Her eyes flew open—but they weren't seeing this room. They were seeing something else, somewhere else, somewhenelse.
“Brandon,” she whispered. “I see her. The woman from my dreams. She's?—”
Her words cut off as her body went rigid. The plants in the room exploded with growth—vines crawling up walls, flowers blooming with impossible speed, roots cracking through floorboards.
It was too much. Too fast.
“Muriel!” Brandon moved closer, placing his hands over hers on theCodex. “You need to pull back. Don't fight it, just?—”
“No, wait. She's showing me something,” Murielsaid, her voice distant. Layered with echoes. “About the bloodline. About the keepers. About—” She gasped.
“I know. I'm sorry, but you need to?—”
Her grip tightened on his hands. “—about the bond.”
TheCodexflared with blinding light.
Muriel screamed.
And the world went green.
When the lightfaded and Brandon's vision cleared, every plant in his office had grown to jungle proportions. Vines covered the ceiling. Flowers bloomed in profusion. The lemon tree had tripled in size, its branches heavy with fruit.
And Muriel was unconscious in his arms.
“Muriel!” He checked her pulse, finding it strong and steady. Her breathing was even. But she didn't respond when he called her name.
Through the bond, he felt her consciousness—present but distant, as if she’d drifted too far into the vision to find her way back.
TheCodexlay beside her, its pages open to a section written in that ancient script. And there, illuminated as if by its own light, was an illustration he'd never seen before.