Two days later back at the Library, the group was enjoying a rare quiet day. Flynn and Baird returned with the ring of Gyges in their possession, and were preparing to finally go on their date, Jenkins was tinkering again in the back room and Ezekiel was back from his time in Lima with a few 'souvenirs' he snuck in. Jake was pouring over a collection of the unknown works of DaVinci and Cassandra was nearby writing in her little book again. She got a phone call and her satisfied smile after she hung up made him ask what was it about.
"That was Rose. She and Jim decided not to wait and eloped. They are very happy and they wanted to thank us for our help."
Jake smiled at the news. "That's great to hear Cassie."
"Lucia is facing kidnapping and attempted murder charges, but she is in a psychiatric facility for the moment. She keeps repeating the same phrase, 'It's never wrong' and Roberto comes everyday to visit. I hope she can come out of it, that was pretty powerful magic that took control of her." She frowned at the thought, and returned to her writing not wanting to say more.
Jake came to her side and took her hands in his. "What's wrong, you have been pretty quiet since we got back."
"I'm fine." She gave him a peck on his cheek.
"You're not having another headache are you?" She could feel his worried stare boring through her and she flinched.
"Just a little one. I'm going to take a break." She lied. Cassandra went to her room and closed the door. Now that they were Librarians, Flynn had them made for their use.
"It's your home away from home." Flynn told them as he ushered the quartet down a hallway and into a courtyard to show them their new suites. They each had a sitting room, bathroom, kitchenette and bedroom, but were very different in appearance.
Baird's was basic, minimalist with only the essentials needed for comfort, Ezekiel's was a techie's dream with all the latest gadgets and gizmos and a sleek modern look. Jake's was surprisingly warm in soft neutrals. The camel walls were painted in a brushed suede effect and artwork ranging from European to Native American hung on the walls. In the sitting room was a soft leather sofa and a large drafting table with shelves underneath to hold canvases he would be studying. The bookshelf was filled with a large supply of art and history books.
Cassandra's room in soothing blues and greens with white furniture and touches of bright accent colors and patterns made it feel like a seaside retreat, tranquil and serene. She giggled when she first saw and inspected her space. "I've always wanted a cottage by the ocean, how did you know?" She asked Flynn.
"Oh it wasn't me, the Library set it up for each of you according to your tastes." He replied.
She walked in, sat on the window seat and looked out at the courtyard. She stared at the fountain bubbling in the middle and smiled as she observed two little birds happily chirping on the edge sharing a breadcrumb. Jake's door was directly across from hers with Baird's and Ezekiel's in between them.
"I guess even the Library knew to keep our rooms the furthest apart." She felt the sting of a tear running down her cheek. Though the magic of the Camope divining necklace was neutralized, unable to harm anyone now that it was in the Library, the fact that her and Jake's symbols didn't match weighed heavily on her mind. She tried to brush it off thinking of Rose and Jim who were also unmatched but willing to go forward and make their relationship work.
Her mind began compiling statistics that kept arriving at the same conclusion. They were destined to fail. She fell in love with an art loving cowboy who wore his heart on his sleeve, not afraid to show emotion. She was logical, rational and in her world their relationship was highly improbable. He relied on faith; she relied on facts. She sighed and made her way to the bedroom to lie down when she heard a knock. She brushed the tears away and patted her face. "Come in."
"Jenkins made a big pot of tea and I thought you might like some." His soft voice and warm smile made her tear up again. "Hey, what's wrong darlin'?" He put the tea service down and walked towards her but she brushed him off and turned her back to him.
"Jake we need to be able to work together and this…us, it's not going to work, we need to realize that. My calculations tell me that, the way our rooms are positioned tells me that and the symbols of the necklace tells me that. With the exception of Rose and Jim the others have already parted ways. And who knows how long before they split up."
Jake rubbed his hand over his mouth and looked down at the floor. He smiled, then walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Against her better judgment, she melted in the warmth of his arms, enjoying the gentle kiss on her neck. "I want to tell you a story, a true story about magic."
He was interrupted by hurried footsteps and a loud voice calling them. They ran out to the courtyard to see what was the matter. "Oy come on! The clippings book is really acting up." Ezekiel beckoned them.
They ran to the main room where Flynn, Baird and Jenkins were running around in a frenzy, gathering information about this latest disturbance.
"What's going on?" Jake asked as they ran in. Jenkins pointed to the book. Something was making groups of people become stiff as statues for periods of time sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes a lot longer. People were taking pictures and posting them on social media thinking it was another flash mob performance since the people would wake up, go about their business as usual not remembering what happened.
"So far the phenomenon has taken place in L.A., Las Vegas, and Phoenix." Flynn pointed out.
"Now in San Antonio." Cassandra informed them pointing to the new article and pictures that appeared. "There was an occurrence just a few minutes ago."
"So it's hitting cities near the Southern border, look for any books on Mexican or Native American artifacts that could cause this." Flynn instructed. The group fanned out but after a few hours, nothing turned up.
"I don't think that's it." Baird suggested. "Maybe whoever is using this artifact, whatever it is lives in the area and is simply using it close to home. Stone you go check out where this happened in L.A., Ezekiel go to Phoenix , Cassandra you check out San Antonio. Flynn and I will go to Vegas."
"Why can't I go to Vegas?" Ezekiel complained.
"Yeah right. You, in the gaming capital of the world." Flynn smirked. Jenkins prepared the door and sent them each to their destinations, leaving him to sort through the hundreds of pictures now popping up in the clippings book.
"Interesting…" he observed as he put them up on the board.