“I was reading it the night of the surge,” Muriel said carefully, handing it to Silas. She had no idea if he knew of theCodex. She suspected he did, but on the off chance he didn’t, she wasn’t going to be the one to tell him.
“Ancient and powerful,” Silas said, holding the book with reverence. “Filled with valuable magic. I can tell the Consilium that my investigation revealed this was the artifact in question.”
Muriel didn’t want to part with the gift Brandon had given her. He must have felt her reluctance, because he reached out, wrapped his hand around hers and gave a squeeze.
“What about Muriel?” Brandon asked.
“The Consilium doesn’t know who you are. I’ll tell them that the witch who possessed the book attempted to access magic beyond her capabilities and burned herself out trying. Tragic, but no longer a threat. Artifact recovered, case closed.” Silas met her eyes. “You'll be safe. That's what Declan would have wanted.”
Muriel felt Brandon's thumb brush her knuckles and sensed his uncertainty. Could they trust Silas?
“There's a problem,” Brandon said. “The spells in theLiber Terraeactually work. If the Consilium tries to use them?—”
“They'll have access to knowledge they shouldn't,” Silas finished. “Yes. Which is why the book needs to be altered before I present it to them.”
“Altered how?”
“Made to appear powerful while being functionally useless.” Silas looked at them carefully. “Can you do that?”
Muriel and Brandon looked at each other. Together, they had moved a mountain.
“Yes,” Muriel said with confidence. “We can do that.”
They worked for three hours,theCodexhumming guidance from its nest of silk pillows in the guest room upstairs. TheLiber Terraelay open between them, and together they wove subtle sabotage into every spell.
“Like this,” Brandon murmured, showing her how tointroduce a flaw in a protection ward. “Everything looks correct, but when they try to activate it, the power will simply disperse.”
“A car that won't start,” Muriel said, understanding.
“Exactly.”
They worked in comfortable synchronicity, their magic flowing together as naturally as breathing. Muriel would identify which spells to target, and Brandon would show her how to disguise the changes. TheCodexfed them knowledge—ancient techniques for concealing alterations, methods for making sabotage invisible to even careful examination.
Silas watched from across the room, saying nothing. But Muriel caught him studying them with an expression she couldn't quite read.
Finally, they were done. TheLiber Terraelooked exactly the same but was now functionally worthless.
“Remarkable,” Silas said softly. “The Consilium's scholars will spend months trying to figure out why nothing works.”
“Good,” Muriel said. She felt no guilt about it.
Silas picked up the book carefully, tucking it under his arm. “I'll present this within the week. The official report will state that the investigation is closed.”
“What will you tell them about Medraut and his men?”
“That he went rogue and crossed the wrong people. I assume that is what happened?”
“Essentially,” Brandon agreed.
“The Consilium will have no trouble believing that. Medraut has been a problem for some time.”
“So we’re safe?” Muriel asked hopefully.
“As safe as I can make you.” Silas's expression grew serious. “But stay alert. The Consilium is vast. Not everyone answers to the same masters. There may be others who sense that not all is what it seems, including Medraut’s elders.”
“We'll be careful,” Brandon promised.
Silas nodded, then turned to Muriel. The professional mask slipped, showing vulnerability underneath. “May I contact you? Not often. Just... sometimes?”