“Who did you expect? Jesus Christ? Maybe the Pope?” Antonio frowned. “The Vatican library is off limits without permission. Have you forgotten the protocol? Your Monitor is supposed to send ours a request to visit. What are you doing here?”
“I meant to jump into the Florence library,” Arik answered.
“It isn’t like you to make mistakes. Who’s the girl?”
“She’s a Sentinel.”
“Why is she in human clothes?”
“We’re performing some jump exercises. She’s in costume.”
“Really?” Antonio rubbed his chin. “This has nothing to do with the human scent permeating the gateways, does it?”
“I haven’t encountered any humans, but we did run into another unattended hound. It was one of the Writhes’. And this isn’t the first time this evening we’ve come across one.”
“We’ve stumbled on a few, as well. That’s why we’re here tonight, protecting the Vatican. Though there aren’t many traveling the gateways these days with—” He stopped as his dark clay-colored eyes settled on my face. “You’re Italian—”
Arik stepped in front of me, blocking Antonio’s view. “We have to get back.”
“I wasn’t aware we had a novice from Italy at the academy.” He pursed his lips as he eyeballed me. “How old are you?”
“She’s fourteen and was privately tutored until recently.” Arik scooted back, causing me to move toward the bookcase. “We’re being timed.”
I lowered my head so he couldn’t tell I was older. The ponytail was my saving grace. Everyone said I looked younger with one.
“Certainly. I’d love to watch your trainee transport.”
My stomach hit the floor. Great. What if I can’t do it this time?
“I apologize for the breach,” Arik said. “It won’t happen again. We’ll be on our way. Good evening.”
Antonio inclined his head. “Good evening.”
Arik rested his hand on my lower back. I was acutely aware of every twitch of his fingers as he guided me to the cabinet. He removed his hand to grab the gateway book, and a shiver ran up my back. After finding the photograph of the Boston Athenæum, he placed the book on the floor.
“You remember the key?”
I nodded.
He grabbed my trembling hand. “Don’t tense like that. You’ll mess up. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I drew in a deep breath.
Antonio studied us. “She’s a fledgling. Don’t push her.”
Arik squeezed my hand. “You can do it.”
“Aprire, um, apri—”
“No pauses.”
I relaxed my breathing and focused on the page. “Aprire la porta.”
We jumped into the gateway.
The others were waiting for us when we entered the Athenæum. “That first step’s a real bugger, eh? At least you didn’t land on your face like Alpha Male over there did.” Demos nodded toward my friends.
Nick was beside Afton in the middle of the room, shifting his weight from foot to foot—something he always did whenever he had pent-up energy. Lei stood guard by the doors, scowling at Nick’s anxious display.
“I put the book on the floor,” Demos continued. “Landing can be tricky when the book is on a table or in a bookshelf.”
“Thanks?” I wasn’t sure how to answer him. I’d already landed through a bookcase. Twice. Since I’d made it home in one piece, there was no way I’d ever go through that possessed book again.
Lei crossed the room to Demos. “We should go already, before our trail is discovered.”
Arik looked from Demos to Lei. “I must see our wards safely home. Incidentally, Gia and I jumped into the Vatican library by error.”
Demos snickered. “Splendid. You’ll get an infraction from the Wizard Council for that.”
“You’re one to judge,” Lei said. “How many times have you had to sit out a mission because of your bad marks?”
“Hey, at least I’m entertaining,” Demos said. “No one wants to live up to your perfection, Miss I-never-have-any-fun.”
“I know how to have fun,” Lei muttered.
“We happened upon Antonio and his band,” Arik interrupted. “They’ve also encountered hounds in the libraries. Be certain to inform Merl to increase security. Also, have him check the Monitors about the delayed response with the hound.”
Nick’s forehead puckered. “Who’s Merl?”
“He’s our haven’s High Wizard.” Arik undid the buckle of his belt and removed it from his waist, then wrapped it around the attached scabbard.
“That’s an insane name for a wizard.”
“His full name is Merlin,” Lei said. “I should add he isn’t the King Arthur one. His father thought it a riot to name his wizard son after a fictitious wizard. Merl hates when someone addresses him as Merlin.”
“Yeah, Merl’s father was a blast. Bless the old bloke,” Demos said. “Merl is more serious than his father was.”