Page 20 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

"I didn't know if I was going to need it.Baba'sstock is old, and I thought some of it might need repair," Zoe replied, barely noticing he was in the room. She lifted the top of the leather cover and set it to one side. "Ohhh, how gorgeous. Look at this papyrus. Perfectly preserved. It's unheard of in a codex this old."

Kahil leaned over her shoulder to get a closer look. Anubis save him, she smelled so good. He had a sudden urge to bury his face in her neck and lick the ylang ylang fragrance straight off her skin. He cleared his throat a little and tried to focus.

"It's definitely written in hieratic, and that adds up with the time period that the priests of Sais were operating," he said.

Zoe turned her head to give him a small, pleased smile. "You can read hieratic script too?"

"Alas, I'm too lazy a scholar for that, but I recognize it. Arslan is fluent in it, so he will know if it is legitimate or a fake,"Kahil replied, suddenly regretting never learning the language. He reached for the leather cover, and she grabbed his hand lightning fast.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"Relax, I just want to touch the cover to check for preservation spells. Oman managed to break up the codex, but this papyrus is still in excellent condition. He must have managed to keep it intact for the last twenty years," Kahil replied. Zoe let him go, her fingers sliding over the feather tattoo as she did. He touched the cover, and magic burned against his skin. "The protection spells are definitely still working. The clever bastard. I wonder how he did it." He took out his phone and took a few pictures. "I'll send these to Arslan and get his thoughts on the matter."

"Arslan knows how to use a phone?" she asked, lips twitching.

"Of course he does. Why wouldn't he?"

"I don't know. It doesn't fit with the ancient, hot Grand Master living in a renovated cistern image he has going on," Zoe replied, turning back to the codex pages.

Kahil frowned. "You think he's hot?"

"Arslan is definitely hot."

"Huh. I'll have to tell him you think so. He'll be thrilled to know he's still got it."

Zoe looked up at him over the top of her glasses. "Why are you pouting all of a sudden?"

"I'm not pouting. Tea? I think we need tea," he said and went into the kitchen. He was, most definitely, pouting that she was attracted to Arslan.Goddamnit.

"I swear I've drunk more tea in the last twenty-four hours than I have in the last year," Zoe said, taking something from her kit that he couldn't see.

"Is that a no, you don't want some?" He opened the cupboards and fridge to inspect what she had on hand. "Cake! Belkis, you angel amongst women."

Zoe didn't reply; she was completely engrossed in her task.

"It's a good thing you are a restorer if Oman separated the codex into pieces. You'll be able to put it back together again once we find them," Kahil said, setting out cups and getting the water on the boil.

"He must have done it for a good reason, but I can't guess what. It's sacrilege," Zoe said, her voice distant.

Kahil had been wondering that himself. "The only answer I can think of is that he thought if he was attacked or killed, whoever did it wouldn't be able to benefit from his death. They might end up with one piece but none of the others."

"Then why leave me a message on the letter to find it?" Zoe asked.

"Another failsafe if he died. He only trusted you to be able to put it back together and not use it for personal gain." Kahil tipped tea leaves into a pot and checked his phone.

It is definitely the codex we are looking for. If Oman left one clue for Zoe, then I'm positive there will be more,Arslan said.

Kahil typed back.I will get her to look for them. She thinks you're hot, by the way.

Try not to be too jealous. She is a beauty herself, but I am sure you've noticed.

She's a job. I notice only threats to her life like a good bodyguard.

Lie to Kerem, but don't waste my time,nipote.

Kahil huffed and tossed his phone back on the counter. Bossy old man.

"What's wrong now?" Zoe asked.

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