17.03.2015

8:30am Brooklyn

Amos Kane

I dusted the wretched sand off my clothes once the portal opened. Before I'd never noticed how annoying this was – why are portals swirling vortexes of sand? Can't they be doorways or shadows or holes in space or something? No – they are a lot of sand, getting everywhere, really quickly. I wish I could have traveled through the Duat, but Michael had spies monitoring me till the very second I left First.

I repositioned my hat, fixed my glasses, smoothed out any wrinkles I could see on my clothes. The very first thing I'd learned – my whole life could be going to hell, but at least I looked good. I'd opted for wearing all black today, to match the black onyx in my cornrows. Wire-rimmed glasses, porkpie hat, a wool Italian suit. I owed the kids that much.

Quick scan of my surroundings to make sure everything had been alright while I was gone. It seemed so and – Why the fuck was there a griffin on my roof!? Clearly it had been domesticated, too. It had a water bowl, a leash tied to one of the columns, what looked like a make-shift nest. Where did they even find a griffin?

Another thing to discuss with Bast later. She wasn't going to just let them keep all animals that appear, was she?

I creeped down to the third floor, painfully aware of how quite it was. Eight thirty wasn't technically that early in the morning, but the mansion was filled with kids who had been going to school up until two weeks ago. I was sure they'd start getting up earlier once they got used to the mansion, but there was no point waking them up now. Aside from one, of course.

There was the Birthday Girl's room! I pulled her present from Duat, a square of yellow wrapping paper, and knocked on the door. No response. Knocked again. No response.

Reason said: She is probably just sleeping deeply, Amos.

Panic said: People are at their most vulnerable when asleep, Amos.

I couldn't quote place why, but panic had a very familiar voice. That somehow made it even louder. Louder. So loud that it was screaming in my head, I failed another one, I lost another one. Another person I love was dead because I was too late. Why did I leave for First, why did I listen to the House?! I should have never left the kids alone, I shouldn't have left Julius alone, I shouldn't have left the kids alone, I shouldn't have… I should breathe.

"One last knock," I whispered. "I'm going to knock one last time. And if she doesn't answer… if Sadie doesn't answer… " She was fine. She was definitely fine. She was dead. "If she doesn't answer I'll check on her."

Three knocks. Ten seconds. No response. I opened the door, pushing aside the images flooding my head, just to see my niece peacefully sleeping in her bed.

Gray morning light filled the windows. I left the present on Sadie's desk and sat at the foot of her bed. Just then her eyes began to flutter open.

"Sadie?"

"Uncle Amos?" She stammered, rubbing her eyes.

I smiled. "Happy birthday, my dear. I'm sorry if I scared you. You didn't answer your door. I was concerned."

"How-?"

"It's all right. I've just returned from Egypt."

Sadie's eyes darkened. "So have I, Amos. And it's not all right. They're coming to destroy us."

If I wasn't shaken up already, Sadie's vision definitely finished me. I knew Menshikov was going to be trouble, but convince Michael to attack kids?! He was coming directly for my family, I had to figure out a plan. And quickly.

"Sadie, I think it would be best if we wait to discuss matters until we've assembled the entire Twenty-first Nome."

"But-"

"You need a good breakfast, anyway. I'll meet you on the veranda in twenty minutes, okay?"

Sadie nodded and I walked back into the hallway, contemplating my next step. Just then a door opened and a voice called out: "Dad!"

I turned around in time to hug the girl running towards me.

"There you are!" I laughed. "Hello, pumpkin."

"Hi," Ayanna stepped back with a smile. "When did you come home?"

"Just now."

"And when are you leaving?"

I sighed. I'd visited the 21st twice since leaving in January. Each time Desjardins didn't let me stay for more than a day.

"There will be no more leavings."

Aya eyed me suspiciously.

I raised my hands in defense. "Fair enough. But I did promise you I'll be back, didn't I?"

"In that case," Aya took my hand and pulled me excitedly towards the stairs. "There's still some time till breakfast. Come to the library!"

The library had always been perfectly organized, one of my personal prides. It contained thousands of books, accumulated by generations of Kanes. Translation: no one really knew what book exactly were in the library, but whatever you were looking for, it was probably there. I'd always wanted to organize our family collection, but never knew where to even begin. Cleo Cunha, however, did.

Cleo was a fourteen years old Brazilian girl with the admirable drive to catalogue Twenty-First's Library.

"Looks like you got everything under control." I called out.

Cleo looked up from her work and adjusted her glasses.

"Oh, hey, Mr. Kane. Yes, thanks to your help. I hope you like the new order."

During my last visit, I'd shown her some of the secret commands of the library shabtis. Now she seemed to rule the Library. A long scroll was spread out on the table. Shabtis were rushing around, bringing Cleo books so she can note them down and then sorting them again alphabetically.

"Just Amos is fine, Cleo."

"My parents would lose their minds if they found out I call you by your first name."

"Hmm," How many were the initiates by now? Around fifteen teens? "What if I convince everyone in the nome to call me Uncle?"

Ayanna laughed. "That would be fun to see."

"Wouldn't it?" I smiled and nodded at the table. "Alright, girls, show me what we have till now."

A little something warm and nice for the holidays. Happy New Year! (That statement feels dangerous)