How could he have known it was a trap? The instant he stepped over the wire, it snapped shut. Cicero went wild, throwing himself against the sides of the cage.
When he realized that an escape was impossible, he hunkered down, ignoring the fish. Out of the shadows the Professor spoke. “I knew you were more than just a sleepy shop cat.”
Cicero hissed. How could this have happened? The Professor took him, cage and all, and put him in the trunk of his car. They drove a short while, the car stopped and the man carried him into a small room, where he was placed on a table.
“Don’t worry. I don’t want to become friends.” He opened a suitcase and picked things out, setting them on the other end of the table.
“This should prove interesting. I’ve never tried this with a cat, but my mother’s magic might have been good for something.” He turned out the lights and lit a candle. Cicero stared at the man, who stared at the candle. First silently, then chanting, sometimes whispery, other times loudly, again talking to creatures even Cicero couldn’t see.
Not at first.
Then one after another, dark shadows appeared on the walls, peeled off and entered the room, finding their places. One came and slithered into the cage, but Cicero hissed and spat so violently it backed off, emitting a snickering kind of laugh.
The Professor did not waver in his incantations. The candle flickered and sputtered, and more shadow creatures peeled off the walls. Then on the Professor’s command, they merged and circled around his cage, absorbing the light.
They closed in on him and he struggled to breathe.
“Now let him go!” commanded Professor Chin, throwing his hands wide. The shadow creatures obeyed and slunk back into their corners. Cicero tried to stop shaking.
“I know who you are. Believe me, your days as Guardian are over. It’s time to let someone have the book who can do it justice.” He moved in close and Cicero took a swipe at him.
“Rethink your position, dear Cicero,” pronouncing his name with disdain. “You can retire with all of your limbs intact. You will be able to sleep with both eyes shut. Your only other choice is to die a martyr’s useless death.”
Cicero resisted with all his might.
“Don’t fight me!” commanded the Professor. “Tell me where the book is and I will let you go!”
For a fraction of a second, and against his will, Cicero’s mind saw where it was hidden in the bookshop. He groaned. How could he have been so weak? He still cringed when he thought of that fateful moment.
“Yes!” the Professor exclaimed.
Cicero had not been able to prevent the Professor from penetrating his mind; it had been as captive as his body in the cage.
“Now show me the entryway.”
Cicero felt his power weakening. Unable to resist the Professor’s black magic, the tapestry covering the door under the stairs appeared as clear as anything in his mind. That was all the Professor needed.
“It’s all coming back to me now. Mother always told me I had the gift. But I will go far beyond this weak gypsy magic. Tarot and tea leaves will not suffice. No one will ever have power over me now.”
The Professor rubbed his hands together. Blocking the candle light, his shadow was thrown on the wall, looming larger than life.
As he talked, he began to unlatch the cage. “What a disgusting notion—cats guarding such a priceless treasure. This is not a book that should be hoarded in some forgotten bookstore by a filthy cat.
“Should I set you free? A gesture of good will, perhaps? I suppose there are men who might do such a thing, but I know the right way to treat a cat.”
Cicero did not waste a moment. The instant the cage door was unlatched he became a wild animal and pushed through, leaping at the Professor and latching onto his neck.
The next thing he knew, he’d been hurled to the floor. All he could remember now from that moment was the numbness in his legs and disgrace in his soul.
After the Professor sped away in his car, a light appeared outside the doorway. Alaniah had arrived.
“Where have you been!” he scolded.
“I couldn’t find you-ou. There was so much interference, my navigation system was thrown off. However did you get to… what is this place? The Tar and Feathers Inn?”
“Never mind. There’s no time to explain. I can’t move, and I fear I’ve lost the book.”
“Poor, dear Cicero. I’m so sorry. Lie still.” Then Alaniah hovered above and showered him with something like warm snowflakes. Soon the feeling began to return to his leg.
“Make me a portal, Alaniah,” he asked, and the Losring transported Cicero back to the bookshop. But it was too late. The tiny room had been ransacked. He went out the back and saw the man disappearing down the dark alleyway.
There was only one thing left for him to do. The power of the book was his to use in extreme circumstances. He hobbled down the alleyway, running as best he could on his three good legs, trying to imagine what in the world he would need to become in order to rescue the book.
As soon as the answer appeared, a wave of power surged through his body. Then his feet disappeared and outstretched wings emerged from his sides, lifting him off the cobblestone street and into the air.
The alley became his runway and he flew over the Professor’s head, trying out his hawk wings. He soared in a wide circle, with the night sky and wind holding him above while he looked down at the earth from this new height.
The Professor left the alley for the street, dark and deserted except for one car and a few scattered pole lamps. Cicero’s hawk eyes picked the target site and locked onto it, as though he’d done this a million times before.
The air whooshed under him as he picked up speed and made his silent, deadly descent. The Professor’s hand was on the car door handle when he attacked, one jab with his beak in the darkest circle of the man’s eye.
The Professor didn’t make a sound right away. He fell to the ground, hugging his head, then let out one of the worst screams Cicero had ever heard coming out of a human. In one smooth motion, Cicero snatched the book with his talons and flew back up into the silent night sky.
Chapter 32: Decisions
Cicero had never quite recovered from that experience. Alaniah had not wanted to take any chances going back to the bookstore and assured him she would find a safe place for them.
Not that he had any complaints about the sleepy Angel Springs library. The librarians let him have his own room where he read to his heart’s content, but there were times when he still missed Amelia and the bookshop. Such are the hardships of a Guardian’s life.
Today, especially, he was feeling his age. Few cats ever lived so long. Only those touched by a Losring like Alaniah. It was good to be blessed by such a creature, but for Guardian Cats it often meant they had not found their successor and needed more time. His pondering was interrupted by voices outside his chambers.
“I’ll be good, I promise.”
Cicero sighed. Why did he find the ferret creature so annoying?
Marco walked into the room and Polo came bursting in behind. He sat on his haunches, trying to imitate Marco.
“Greetings, Cicero,” said Marco. “I brought Polo. I hope you don’t min…”
“Well…” Cicero cut him off before he could finish.
“I want to learn how to read. Just like Marco!” Polo blurted out.
Cicero paused. This he was not expecting. “Hmm.”
“I’m a fast learner.”
Cicero did not feel like being diplomatic, but he held his tongue.
Polo did not hold his. “How about a story then? Marco says you tell really good stories.”
Cicero ignored the ferret and turned to Marco. “Please take your friend out of the library. We are already pressing our luck, having meetings in the storeroom, and few are allowed in my chambers. I fear he will get us all kicked out.”
Marco hung his head. “Come on Polo. Let’s go.” He steered the ferret out through the door.