Leo’s cheeks grew red, and he mumbled, “Oh, it’s nothing special. I’ve explored the books here pretty thoroughly, that’s all. The word Vault rang a bell.”

Isaac turned the page and began to read, and as he did, he felt that familiar hum again.

Foreword

This set of diaries spans a fraught time in human history. The magical artifacts that have been gathered in the Vault in those years are particularly dangerous, as war enhances the power of such items. In addition, those who wish to win wars will stop at nothing to use magical artifacts for evil purposes . . .

“This is amazing,” Isaac said. He leafed through the book. It was filled with images and references to magical artifacts, and notes about where they were found and by whom. “Listen to this. ‘The best teams are those whose members—also known as the Order—are strongly connected. Hunting for artifacts is a group endeavor. Although it is always the Guardian who carries the key, the entire cohort of AH is crucial to success.’” He looked up at the others again. “AH?”

“I’m going to guess that stands for Artifact Hunters,” Leo said with a shrug.

Isaac, lost in thought, stared at the swaying tree branches outside the library window.

Vault. Guardian. Artifact Hunters.

Isaac held the key. He pressed his hand to his chest, and the hum grew. The pendant. The eternity knot. He had been holding the pendant when he thought the door in the temple wall was closing, and he begged it to open.

And the door had reappeared, opened, and dumped them into the Vault.

“The key,” he said out loud. “I think my pendant is the key. But . . . where is the Vault? It seems to be everywhere.”

“Or maybe it’s anywhere,” said Leo casually. “Anywhere you want it to be. Maybe it comes when whoever has the key calls it. I mean, we are talking about magic, aren’t we?”

Amelie and Isaac both stared at Leo.

“That’s good,” Isaac said.

Leo turned bright red.

“Leo,” Amelie said, “I know you can see the future. But have you ever thought about why?”

“Um, no, not really.”

“Well, I’m wondering whether you can see the future because you know so much about the past. Because you read so much. Study so much.”

Leo’s eyes widened. “I like reading.”

“Yes.” Isaac said, “Maybe, Leo, that is your magical power. You know things. You read, you study, and that makes you really, really smart.”

Leo’s cheeks couldn’t get any redder. He said, “Well, maybe, but . . .”

The door blew open and Kat raced into the room. “We’ve got a new problem,” she said.

CHAPTER 39

Isaac

1942

Kat led the others to the library window. The thorns pressing against the glass scratched at it with an agitating noise. Thick bruised clouds blanketed the sky. A low throb from the forest pushed against the castle.