Gene of Isis

‘I have something in my office that I would like to give you, but I forgot to bring it down.’ Molier sounded annoyed at himself for the oversight. ‘Would you be so kind as to wait here while I fetch it?’

What is it you have for me? I honed in on his thoughts and upon capturing a brief glimpse of Mr Devere, my inner panic returned. ‘Of course.’ I took a seat so as not to look in a hurry. ‘That will give me more time to peruse the texts in your wonderful archive.’

‘Indeed,’ he granted. ‘I won’t detain you long.’

‘I have no pressing engagements,’ I assured him.

I was relieved when the door closed behind Molier, until I heard the key turn in the lock. I rushed to the door to confirm my worst fears, and heard Molier instruct Jenkins to see to it that no one unlocked the door until he returned.

Jenkins did not question the instruction.

‘Molier has Devere in this very building!’ I stressed my concern to Albray in a whisper, even though he was already aware of what I knew. ‘This is probably secret brotherhood headquarters! What am I to do, Albray?’

I was gripping my amulet so tightly that I picked up on Albray’s mind to voice the suggestion at the same time as he did. ‘The windows!’ We both rushed to the other side of the room.

It didn’t take long to realise that we needed a key. ‘Security measures, no doubt,’ I was beginning to think the situation was hopeless, and Albray seemed to be lost in thought.

You can go through the wall, he suggested, excited by the plan until he saw my expression. It’s no different to your changing the composition of the parchment, he reasoned. Will the brick to be as thin as air.

‘All right, master adviser.’ I recalled that higher education and instruction was the reason I had engaged Albray’s services in the first place. ‘What do I do?’

Place your hands on the wall. He gestured to a space between the windows and I did as instructed. You have the ability to do this, but if you need faith in yourself then call upon the strength of your foremothers.

I drew a deep breath to focus and suppressed the fear that time was short.

Women of my blood, have your legacy live on, lend to me your strength, to secure my freedom’!

When the wall remained hard against my fingers, terror rose from my heart to lodge in my throat. ‘Albray, I cannot…this is not working.’

My knight seemed defeated, but only for a moment. The Star vial, he suggested. Put a small amount of the powder in your mouth—it heightens awareness and psychic aptitude.

I dug the tiny vial from my attire and followed his instruction, placing just a few small particles on my tongue. I returned the vial to its hiding place, closed my eyes and repeated my request.

After a moment I could no longer feel the wall at my fingertips and I felt as though I’d moved backwards although I pressed forward. A bump on the shoulder caused my eyes to open.

‘So sorry, Madame. I didn’t see you there.’ The gentleman I’d collided with tipped his hat and kept on walking.

I looked about to see if anyone else had noticed my mysterious exit from the building, but the Parisians were all going about their business and paying no attention to me whatsoever.

Quick. Albray urged me into the city hustle and bustle, where I grabbed a carriage and headed straight to collect Nanny. We were leaving Paris today! FROM THE HONEYMOON JOURNAL OF LADY SUSAN DEVERE

Mr Devere was furious and bewildered when we entered the huge archive room and no Ashlee in sight.

‘I thought I told you that no one was to unlock the door.’ Molier calmly accused Jenkins of negligence.

‘I assure you, sir, no one entered and no one left.’ His eyes looked about the room, unable to explain the woman’s disappearance.

‘My apologies, Jenkins.’ Molier was distracted by something on the windowed side of the room. He stood between the windows, fascinated by a piece of wall.

‘What is that?’ Devere asked, taking an interest in Molier’s probing.

‘I can’t see anything.’ I moved closer to learn what held them both spellbound.

‘There is a large patch in the wall, here, that is slightly more vibrant than the rest of the surface,’ Devere explained.

‘Quickly,’ Molier directed our attention to the wall, ‘it’s reconstituting.’

‘Pardon?’ Devere frowned as Molier pressed on the wall and it gave like rubber under his fingers. When he took the pressure off, the wall appeared completely normal.

When Devere and I tried it, it gave less and less and finally returned to being completely solid.

‘That’s incredible.’ It was hard to keep the smile from my lips. I had no idea Ashlee was capable of such feats. ‘Are you suggesting Ashlee passed straight through this wall?’

‘I’ve never witnessed such mastery,’ Molier smiled and confirmed my guess. ‘If this was your wife’s doing, then Mrs Devere is an exceptional woman indeed.’

‘She must be close.’ Devere moved quickly to the window and, forgetting Molier’s condition, held open the curtains.