Marked: Thoth's Legacy ~ Book One

by S. E. Jackson

“We called the sheriff,” Cass told her. “It was touch and go. I just knew he was going to decide you had done it. Or that Agnes and I were guilty. Something.”

  “I did,” Izzy confessed.

  “No you didn’t,” Cass denied. “And, I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again.” Mean Cass was present it seemed. “My friend wouldn’t do that. I know her. So, you need to stop talking and listen for a minute.”

  Izzy pressed her lips flat to hold in her arguments. She would give Cass her say, but then it was her turn.

  Cass cleared her throat. “Now, as I was saying. I was worried. But, the sheriff, he’s a lot smarter than I pegged him for. He took one look at those bodies and saw exactly what we saw. Gideon and Maeve showed all the markings that Edith’s killer left behind. He said he wants to talk to you later. But, and this is a big one, he told Agnes and I that he was leaning toward a murder-suicide. He’ll probably pin the entire thing on Gideon. If I hear you say one word different, I’m going to hex you myself.”

  Izzy remained quiet for a moment. “That’s actually kind of true.” She took her time, sorting through her thoughts. “His first curse on me, it ricocheted off my shield. He shoved Maeve into its path, killing her instantly.”

  “I don’t want to know,” Cass hummed. “I don’t care what happened. You’re alive and they aren’t. That’s all that matters.”

  “No,” Izzy shook her head. “I want you to know. At first, I was ashamed. All I could think was that I killed them. I was a murderer and should die along with them.” Izzy raised her eyes to Cass. “But, I’m not. I’m not going to take the blame for their poor choices. Just like Sebastian. I might have technically killed him. But, he chose his path. He killed himself long before I ever came into the picture.”

  “I agree. Can we stop talking about this?” Cass asked.

  “Fine,” Izzy relented. “One day though, I need to tell you everything that happened.”

  “One day I might even listen,” Cass grinned. “So, why are we still standing out here. I need a flat surface and about eight hours of sleep minimum.”

  “Ditto,” Izzy groaned. “I am wiped.”

  ◆◆◆

  Hours later, Izzy propped the front door open with her hip. Her hair tangled and knotted from sleep. Eyes barely open. She stood at the threshold, balefully staring at the person who had woken her. The sheriff waited calmly on the other side, his expression making it clear he wanted to talk and would not be put off.

  “May I come in?” he asked.

  “I was sleeping,” Izzy informed him petulantly.

  He glanced at his watch. “At four o’clock in the afternoon?”

  “What’s your point?” she scowled. Then she remembered. Gideon and Maeve, and then there was the matter of Sebastian too. At least he wouldn’t be so easy to pin on her. She bumped the door back, opening it further. “Sorry, sheriff. I’m not a morning person. Come on in.”

  “It’s not morning,” he grumbled back. He motioned for her to lead the way and followed Izzy into her home.

  “Coffee,” she explained as she headed straight for the kitchen.

  “I know the routine.” The sheriff settled by the bar. “I’ll take a cup while you’re at it if you’re offering. It’s been a long day.”

  Izzy nodded. Still in a sleep fog, she didn’t even attempt making coffee the normal way. With a flick of her wrist, the freezer door opened, coffee beans floated across the air to where she stood. The carafe flew by in the other direction to fetch water. The sheriff blinked but otherwise showed no reaction.

  Several moments passed as the coffee brewed. Her movements were economical as she took down the mugs, poured the coffee, and then delivered the sheriff his cup. He knew not to speak yet, so he took his notebook out and made notes while he drank.

  “Okay,” her voice quiet, Izzy prompted him, “Hit me with it.”

  “I need to hear what happened outside your house. I have a general idea of what most likely occurred but I need to hear it from you.”

  Izzy nodded. “I expected you to come. I probably should have gone to you first.”

  “Where were you? Maybe, we should start there and work our way back.”

  She studied the sheriff, trying to decide what to tell him and what to leave out.

  “I’m waiting.”

  Izzy decided on truth. She told him about the attack. The hexes and spells, volleys of power. How the gnomes had come because Sebastian had trapped their children. On and on, she went. The sheriff sat on her stool, nodding and listening. He didn’t make a single note in his little book. Nor did he interrupt, even once. He just listened.

  “So, that’s what happened,” Izzy finished her tale with a sigh. “You want a refill?” She nodded toward his empty coffee cup.

  “Sure, why not. I’ve already drunk the brew. I’m tempted to accuse you of drugging it. Because, despite the irrationality of your story, I believe you. On every last bit,” he hung his head down and stared at the blank page of his notebook.

  “I wrote up the paperwork earlier today. You’re clear. I just wanted to hear your take. For my own mental piece of mind. I figured something hokey happened here. Knew I could never write the truth,” he huffed out a laugh. “You’re a stand-up woman, Isadora. That much I knew. So, thank you for proving my instincts are still solid.” He stood, holding out his hand to her. “I hope we don’t have a reason to meet again soon. Except maybe for coffee, you do make a mean cup of joe.”

  Izzy smiled, shaking his hand. “You’re welcome to stop in for a cup anytime, sheriff.”

  “Oh! Before I forget,” he pulled back. “I have something for you in the car. I’ll be right back.”

  She heard the slam of the front door as Cass strolled into the kitchen. “Who’s here?” she mumbled.

  “Sheriff.”

  “Coffee,” Cass pleaded.

  “Help yourself,” Izzy motioned to the last of the coffee in the pot. “Looks like I need to make some more,” she grimaced.

  Cass groused as she poured the dregs from the pot into a cup. She took a sip then made a face of revulsion. “Are you trying to poison me?”

  “Hang on to your hat, Fred,” Izzy laughed and set about brewing a new pot. “You’ll have to wait a sec if you want fresh.”

  Lower lip out, Cass placed the rejected mug on the counter and crossed her arms. “I take it you’re in the clear since you’re still standing here.”

  “Yeah,” Izzy nodded. “I just told him the truth. Lies just complicate everything and what happened yesterday was complicated enough. I’m in the clear and we’re all good.” The front door slammed again, letting them know the sheriff was back.

  “I’m going to call the hospital, check on Agnes,” Cass excused herself when Sheriff Pope re-entered the kitchen.

  “Give her my regards,” he told Cass. He was holding a small cylindrical canister. Long and slim, the black case was just over a foot long. “We found this at Gideon’s apartment. There’s an old parchment inside. I can’t explain it but the moment I touched it, I knew I needed to give this to you.”

  Izzy was curious. “Can I see?”

  “Sure,” he handed her the canister. “It’s all yours.”

  Eager to see what it held, she accepted it from him and popped the latch toward the top. The minute she did, a knowing came over her. “It’s a page. From an old book that’s in my care,” she explained. “This means a lot. Thank you.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Just doing my part. I’ll get out of your hair now. Take care of yourself, Isadora. And tell Agnes to stay out of trouble.”

  Izzy grinned. “I’ll make sure to pass the message on.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Izzy

  Izzy and Cass were huddled over the container by Agnes’ bed. She had been released from the hospital earlier that day with strict orders to remain in bed and rest, for at least a week minimum. Her color was back, Izzy noticed. She still tired easily and needed to sleep more than not but
the doctors expected her to make a full recovery. For that, Izzy breathed a sigh of relief.

  Izzy had meant to put off dealing with the papyrus until Agnes was better. Agnes, however, insisted she needed to know what the canister contained. That explained why the three of them, Cass included, of course, were now huddled in Izzy’s spare bedroom where Agnes had taken up residence while she recuperated.

  “Hurry up!” Agnes scolded. “I might die any second and I want to know what’s in there before I go.”

  Izzy rolled her eyes. “You aren’t going to die. The doctor said so.”

  “I might.”

  “If the two of you are just going to argue, hand it to me,” Cass grumbled.

  Worried about hurting the contents, Izzy snarled at the other two witches. “Give me a sec. I don’t want to mess it up. It’s old and delicate,” her grin bloomed, “like Agnes.”

  Agnes swatted toward Izzy. Izzy easily dodged the older woman’s hand. She tsked and shook her finger at Agnes.“Someone needs to be more careful. The doctor said to stay calm and not move around too much.”

  “Someone’s getting too big for her britches,” Agnes warned. “I might still have a hex or two up my sleeve you haven’t learned yet. Better mind yourself.”

  Cass laughed with delight at the pair. She took the canister from Izzy while they argued, studying the smaller package inside. “You think it’s safe to take this out?”

  She tilted the canister, the package sliding easily onto the comforter covering the bed.

  “Should we be doing this in here? This looks super old.”

  “I can’t see!” Agnes fussed.

  “Stop blocking the light!” Izzy pushed to get closer to Cass. “Give that back. My toy, my rules.”

  “You remind me of Dodger,” Cass pointed out. “All hunched over your prize.”

  “He has a fair point,” Izzy countered. “Finders keepers.”

  While they argued, Agnes reached over and gently lifted the rolled up item from the bed. It was wrapped in linen. Most likely to protect it from the oils in their hands or possibly the light. With the sparest of movements, Agnes eased open the outer layer and peered in.

  “It’s so old.” The awe in her voice struck the other two mute.

  Barely using their fingers, they began to tug the papyrus out, unrolling it. It crackled as they slowly inched the material back to see the markings on it.

  “I wonder what it says,” Izzy spoke in hushed tones. Something about the age of it commanded respect and care. She leaned closer to study the inscriptions holding her breath, so she didn’t hurt the text. Her finger lightly touched the top of the page.

  A throat cleared behind them, the sound loud and deep.

  Izzy stilled her reaction, being careful with the delicate page.

  Cass let go of her edge, the paper curling back to its natural state then slowly turned, a scowl on her face.

  To give her credit, Cass only stopped for a moment before she bellowed. “Who are you and how did you get in here?” Tilting her head ever so slightly but without taking eyes off the intruder, Cass instructed Agnes. “Get your phone, call 9-1-1.”

  Izzy hated to admit it and groaned as she did, “He’s not an intruder.”

  “He’s not?” Both Cass and Agnes whipped their heads in her direction.

  “He’s him. You know, the Guardian? At least, I’m pretty sure that’s who he is.”

  The man nodded. “I am.”

  Cass was the first to gather her wits. “That’s odd, I don’t remember the conversation we had where you said - Cass, my girl, my number one friend, this jerk I keep mentioning. Well, I might have neglected to mention how hot he is. Pretty sure I would have remembered that.”

  He smirked at Cass, then spoke. “I am Asim – Guardian to the Marked. You have reclaimed one of the papyri. I must return it to the vault.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Izzy knew he would take the papyrus. Truthfully, she had no problem with that. She didn’t want to be responsible for something clearly so old. She didn’t have the first clue on how to care for it.

  She had a few words to say first though.

  “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?” A thin trail of smoke poured from her nostrils.

  “Uh,…” Cass began.

  “Not now, Cass.” Izzy interrupted. “I have something to say and this man - this pompous jackass is going to hear it if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Asim swerved toward Izzy and crossed his arms. “I am listening.”

  “Do you know what I’ve been through? The gnomes tell me you’re my Guardian. Let me tell you, buddy, if this is you guarding, you need to find a new job. Because you suck.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, but the fire smoldering behind Izzy’s eyes gave him pause. “NO!” she pointed her finger at him not noticing the sparks. “It’s my turn. Where the hell have you been? I have been stalked, lied to, attacked, forced to fight a war - and NOW!? – After Sebastian has been killed, NOW you think you can just come and retrieve the document? A guardian GUARDS!” she shouted. “I called for you, I freaking begged for you to come. Where the hell were you?”

  Asim listened to her tirade. “Are you done?”

  Izzy nodded. “For the moment.”

  “You were under my watch the entire time. You were fine. Never once were you close to peril.”

  She started to argue.

  Asim shook his head, “My turn.” Steam poured from every one of Izzy’s orifices but she acquiesced.

  “Yes, you’ve faced hard trials. They will get worse, I can assure you. My job isn’t to keep you from breaking a nail,” he sneered at her. “If you are truly in danger, that’s when I will step in. And not a second before.”

  “Well, I managed just fine,” Izzy spat at him. “Maybe I don’t need your help after all.”

  “You needed to know you can handle yourself. You will never learn your strength if I coddle you like a child,” he snarled. “Is that what you want? To have someone else fight your battles? You are the Marked, now act like it, princess!”

  “Princess, Hell to the no! I did not sign up for this shit.”

  “Neither did I,” he shouted back.

  That gave Izzy pause. “You care to explain that?”

  He remained maddeningly silent.

  “Fine, whatever,” Izzy rolled her eyes.

  “I do not have to explain myself to you. My secrets are my own. You have not earned that right. Maybe one day, but not today.”

  He gentled his tone, “We must learn to work together, you and I.”

  “I hate you,” Izzy knew it was immature but couldn’t force herself to take back the words.

  “We are not required to be friends. I am not sure friendship was ever fated for us anyway,” he murmured.

  “Fine, take the damn page for the book. How many are left? Do you know?”

  “Hundreds, possibly thousands.” Remembering the loss, his eyes turned to sorrow. “We have much work to do. Now, I must take your leave.”

  “Wait!”

  “Yes?”

  “My friends, they can see you today.”

  “Of course they can,” he rolled his eyes. “Am I not of flesh and blood?”

  “But the other day, that first day,” Izzy squirmed as she realized she was revealing more than she wanted to, “That first day I saw you, I tried to take your picture, but it was like you were never there.”

  “I might have erased it.”

  His sheepish look allowed Izzy to let her remaining anger go for the moment.

  “So, I can call you every night? You’ll kill spiders? Stuff like that.”

  “You can call. I am not required to stay,” He rolled his eyes again. “Nor kill spiders.”

  “Okay.”

  “We understand one another now?”

  “Yes.” Izzy nodded. “I think so, yes.”

  “What is my name?”

  “Asim.”

  “Good, and when do you say it?”

  �
��When Hell freezes over?”

  “That will suit me just fine.”

  “Good.”

  “Good.”

  Asim turned and bowed to Agnes and Cass. “Ladies, an honor.” He reached for the page, the minute he touched it, both he and the papyrus vanished.

  “Wow,” Cass sighed.

  “I do believe we need to have a long talk about your language and attitude,” Agnes noted.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Izzy

  A few days later…

  The remaining members of Isadora’s coven were gathered haphazardly at Agnes’ home. Most were in the great room discussing recent events. Others congregated in the kitchen, their conversation concentrated more on Maeve and Gideon. Izzy, however, was in the backyard receiving an update from the gnomes.

  “I’m happy to report, the children are home again. Thanks to you.”

  Izzy shook her head. “It was a joint effort. You guys did just as much if not more than I did.”

  “We could not have defeated him without your help.”

  “Well, we’ll agree to disagree there. Thank you for coming to tell me about the children though. I was worried.”

  “We wanted to invite you back to our town. We have a celebration planned in your honor.”

  Izzy tried to hide the horror she felt at that. She didn’t like parties, to begin with, one in her honor was the worst thing she could imagine.

  “Thanks, guys, but I’m going to have to take a raincheck on that. I appreciate the thought though.”

  Another voice chimed in on the subject. Sometimes you have to give, to receive.

  Izzy rolled her eyes. “Thank you for the unhelpful comments.” Her eyes darted to the gnome in front of her, “Not you!” she hastily clarified.

  She needn’t have worried, the gnome was grinning. “I am just happy to know that I’m not the only one the sylphs annoy.”

  “Not sure that’s a huge consolation on my part.” Izzy pointed out.

  “That’s true,” he conceded.

  A heavy moment of silence filled the space between them. “I need to return to the village. The children are preparing the celebration for our victory. You’re sure you won’t come?”