Septimus Heap, Book Six_ Darke - Angie Sage [81]
A flash of concern crossed Marcia’s face but she got straight down to business. “Miss Djinn,” she said briskly. “I have come to collect the Manuscriptorium half of the Paired Code.”
Jillie Djinn sniffed and, to Beetle’s shock, wiped her nose on her sleeve. But she did not reply.
“Miss Djinn,” said Marcia, “this is a serious matter. You must make available to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard the Manuscriptorium half of the Paired Code upon request at any time of day or night. I realize this has not been requested for many hundreds of years, but I am requesting it now.”
Jillie Djinn did not react. It was as if she did not understand a word that was said.
Marcia looked concerned. “Miss Djinn,” she said quietly. “May I remind you that Paired Code Protocol forms part of the induction Oath of a Chief Hermetic Scribe.”
Jillie Djinn shifted uncomfortably and sniffed again. She looked pathetic, thought Beetle. Once so upright and proper, she was now weighed down by her cares. He had never liked the Chief Hermetic Scribe, but now his dislike was mixed with sadness for her. And disquiet—something was very wrong. Beetle glanced at Marcia. She was regarding the Chief Hermetic Scribe with a new light in her eye—like a cat getting ready to pounce. And then, suddenly, she did. Marcia leaped forward and clapped both hands on Jillie Djinn’s shoulders. “Depart!” she commanded. A flash of purple lit up the white chamber and Jillie Djinn gave a sharp scream. A loud hiss came from beneath Marcia’s hands, and Beetle was aware of something small and dark—he couldn’t see exactly what—leaping to the ground and scuttling out.
“A Maund,” muttered Marcia. “Someone’s put a Maund on her. Vicious beasts and so heavy. What is going on here?” She glanced around the Hermetic Chamber anxiously. So did Beetle. It appeared to be empty, but he was no longer so sure.
“Miss Djinn,” said Marcia quickly. “This is of the utmost urgency. You must immediately give me the Paired Code.”
Jillie Djinn, relieved of her burden, was no longer hunched. But she still looked haunted. She glanced around the chamber, then quickly ran her hand across the table in a zigzag movement. There was a quiet whirring noise and a tiny drawer opened in front of her. Looking about her uneasily, Jillie Djinn took out a small, polished silver box and placed it on the desk.
“Thank you, Miss Djinn,” said Marcia. “I would like to check that the Code is indeed in the box.”
Jillie Djinn was gazing out somewhere in the distance over Marcia’s shoulder. She nodded absently, then an expression of fright flashed across her features.
Marcia was busy opening the box. Inside she saw a small silver disc with a raised central boss, which was exactly like the textbook drawing that she was familiar with. Marcia put her spectacles on and took a closer look. A mass of fine lines radiated from the tiny hole at the center of the disc and scattered along these was an array of Magykal symbols, some of which she had not seen since her advanced codacology week in her final Apprentice year. Marcia was satisfied—it was indeed the Manuscriptorium half of the Paired Code.
There was sudden disturbance in the air. Marcia spun around. She lunged forward, and Beetle saw the little silver disc fly into the air and disappear—then something gave him a sharp punch in the stomach.
“Oof!” He doubled over, gasping for breath.
“Beetle, block the passageway!” Marcia shouted.
Still winded, Beetle threw himself in front of the entrance to the seven-cornered passage.