Ridley smacked her gum. “What?”

“A Seer like Amarie would tell you that many believe crows can cross between the world of the living and the world of the dead.”

We made it over the rise. Bade and Boo were staring up at the sleek black bird.

“So what? Even if it could fly from world to world, you really think that little bird could carry The Book a Moons?” Link asked.

I didn’t know. But the crow was connected to Ethan somehow. I was sure of it.

“Why is it circling like that?” John asked.

Ridley strolled up behind us. “It’s probably scared of the giant cat.”

For once, she might be right.

“Bade and Boo, go home,” I called. The big cat’s ears perked up at the sound of her name.

Boo hesitated and looked up at Uncle Macon.

He nodded to the dog. “Go on.”

Boo cocked his head. Then he turned and lumbered through the tall grass. Bade yawned, baring her huge white teeth, and followed, her tail swishing like a lion’s from one of the nature shows Link was always watching on the Discovery Channel. He blamed it on his mom, but in the last couple of months, I’d noticed him watching it by himself more than a few times.

The crow circled again and swooped toward us, landing on the headstone. Its beady black eyes seemed to be staring right at me.

“How come it’s checkin’ you out like that?” Link asked.

I stared back at the black bird.

Please. Take the Book or make it disappear. Whatever you have to do to get it to Ethan.

Uncle Macon looked at me from the other side of the headstone.

He can’t hear you, Lena. You can’t Kelt with a bird, I’m afraid.

I glared at my uncle. At this point, I would try anything.

How do you know?

The crow hopped down, its talons touching the thick leather cover for a split second before it squawked and pulled its legs up again quickly.

“I think the Book burned it,” John said. “Poor guy.”

I knew he was right. I felt the tears welling in my eyes. If the crow couldn’t touch the Book, how would we get it to Ethan? I’d left the black stone Ethan had asked for, the one from my charm necklace, right here on the grave. I didn’t know what had happened to it after that.

“Maybe the bird has nothing to do with it, and he’s just a messenger or something,” John offered.

I sniffled, swiping at my face. “Then what’s the message?”

John squeezed my shoulder. “Don’t worry.”

“How are we going to get the Book to Ethan? He needs it, or he can’t—” I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t stand to even think it.

We had risked our lives to track down Abraham Ravenwood, and we had found a way to kill him—at least Link had. The Book of Moons was right here at my feet, and there was no way to get it to Ethan.

“We’ll figure it out, Cuz.” Ridley picked up the Book, the back cover dragging across the stone. “Someone must have the answer.”

John smiled at me. “Someone does. Especially when it comes to that book. Come on—let’s go ask her.”

A flutter of hope filled my chest. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

He nodded. “It is Presidents’ Day, which was still a bank holiday the last time I checked.”

Ridley pulled on the bottom of her miniskirt, which didn’t move an inch. “Who’s thinking what, and where are we going?”

I grabbed her arm, tugging her down the hill. “Your favorite place, Rid. The library.”

“It’s not that bad,” she said, inspecting her purple nail polish. “Except for all those books.”

I didn’t respond.

There was only one book that mattered right now, and my whole world—and Ethan’s future—depended on it.

CHAPTER 26

Quantum Physics

From just inside the hidden grating that led into the Lunae Libri, I could see all the way down to the bottom of the stairs. Marian sat behind the circular reception desk, exactly where I knew she would be. Liv was pacing at the far end of the room, where the stacks began.

As we came down into the Lunae Libri, Liv’s neck snapped up. She bolted across the room the moment she saw John.

But he was faster. John ripped, materializing in Liv’s path and gathering her up in his arms. My heart broke a little as I watched the relief spread across her face. I tried not to feel envious.

“You’re all right!” Liv threw her arms around John’s neck. She pulled back, her expression changing. “What were you thinking? How many times are you going to sneak off to do something completely insane?” Liv turned her scowl on Link and me. “And how many times are you going to let him?”

Link raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, we weren’t even there the last time.”

John leaned his forehead against hers. “He’s right. I’m the one you should be angry with.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “I don’t know what I would have done—”

“I’m okay.”

Link puffed his chest out. “Thanks to me.”

“It’s true,” John said. “My protégée saved our asses.”

Link raised an eyebrow. “That better mean somethin’ good.”

Uncle Macon cleared his throat and adjusted a cuff of his crisp white shirt. “It does indeed, Mr. Lincoln. It does indeed.”

Arms crossed, Marian stepped out from behind the desk. “Would someone like to tell me exactly what happened tonight?” She stared at my uncle expectantly. “Liv and I have been worried sick.”