Page 16 of A City of Hearts and Feathers (The Order of Anubis #1)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Z oe tried to focus on the pages in front of her and not on Kahil taking off again. He was doing his job, and she had to do hers. She still didn't like it when he wasn't around. Kerem was doing something in the kitchen, and Zoe wondered if the men had an argument when she was out of the room. It wouldn't surprise her.

"Don't worry. Kahil won't go far," Arslan said, reading her concern far too easily. "Both light and dark followers are being audacious at the moment, and it makes us all nervous."

"I wonder if finding the rest of this codex is a good idea at all," Zoe said, placing the two pieces she had side by side. "You can read them if you like. Kahil said that you wanted the codex to break your curse?"

Arslan shook his head. "I already know how to break my curse. Kahil thinks that this codex will have a secret that will make it happen quicker."

"If you know how to fix it, why haven't you done it yet?" Zoe asked.

"I need a specific ingredient. Very rare. Almost impossible for it to exist, let alone find," Arslan explained.

Zoe frowned. "So you don't want my codex at all?"

"I'd still put a bid in for it but only to stop the light and dark from fighting over it." Arslan stroked his beard, his expression thoughtful. "At least I hope it would stop them from fighting over it. It's too dangerous for either side to possess. If nothing else, if I had it, it would force the others to leave you alone."

"But it would make you a target," Zoe argued. She didn't like the sound of that at all.

Arslan smiled. "It would hardly be the first time, precious."

"That doesn't make me feel any better."

"Don't let it worry you. Now, let's look at this other manuscript." Arslan changed the subject, bringing her attention to the stack of papyrus pages. "I hate to disappoint you, but it's a fake. A very good one, but a fake all the same. These hieratic passages are taken from The Book of the Dead and were very common in Egypt. I have no idea why Oman would have it when he traded in the authentic."

"Perhaps he wanted to use it as a decoy?" Kerem suggested, passing Arslan a steaming cup of mint tea.

Zoe compared the fake to the real codex. "I suppose to the untrained eye they would look the same. He could have left a message in it somewhere for me."

"Was there anything else in the box?" Arslan asked.

"Not that I could find. You can check it for any more magic if you like," Zoe said, still focused on the codex. She would have to find a way to bind the pieces back together once she found them all. How many parts had Oman hidden around the city?

"Zoe, my dear, Kahil told me you found numbers in your storybook that coincided with the meeting with Hasan, yes?" Arslan asked her.

"Yes, why?" she said, turning over one of the pages.

"Because I think I've found some more," Arslan said, finally getting her attention.

"What?"

Arslan pulled up the velvet lining from the bottom of the box. There was something scrawled in Arabic in gold paint along with a string of numbers. "It's the name of the person who made the box. The date could mean nothing."

"Except it's the same week before baba died," Zoe pointed out. She grabbed Oman's organizer and flipped through the pages until she found the date. There wasn't a meeting, just a line of text.

"Triple-headed snakes dance high to watch the ground I grow," she read out loud. "What the hell does that mean?"

"A riddle. Oman isn't going to make it easy for you," Arslan said, sipping his tea.

Zoe's phone started buzzing, and she pulled it out of her handbag. "Hello?"

"Zoe, my darling, I'm cooking you dinner tonight," Belkis said, the noise of children in the background.

"Ah, Aunty, I'm a little busy. I have Kerem and Arslan here with me."

"Excellent. Bring them too! I've made far too much food as usual. I've even convinced your Uncle Ahmet to leave his lab and eat with us," Belkis said. She moved her mouth away from the phone and called something out. "Azize is babysitting her friend's girls too. It will be a lovely gathering. I'll see you in an hour!" Belkis hung up before Zoe could protest.

"I hope you guys are hungry. Belkis is in party mode," she said with a resigned sigh.

"I can always eat when your lovely aunt is the one doing the cooking," Arslan replied.

"Riddle solving can wait, Zoe. In my experience, Belkis always gets her way, so it's better not to fight her." Kerem smiled fondly. "Did she say Azize was going to be there?"

"Yes, along with her friend's children and god knows who else," Zoe said with a laugh.

Arslan patted her on the shoulder. "It's good. You need more family around you, and a little normality to keep you sane until this business with the codex is done."

Zoe didn't have experience with anything resembling family gatherings and felt completely out of her depth. She stood behind Kerem as they got to Belkis's front door in Kurtulus, and she wished that Kahil was there for backup.

According to Arslan, Kahil needed to take care of something and was staying behind. She didn't question it because Kerem and Arslan were more than capable of protecting her. Kahil's smartass flirting had grown on her far too quickly, and it was probably a good idea to have a break from her new flat mate and bodyguard.

Zoe's phone vibrated, and she hung it up straightaway. Arslan raised a brow at her.

"It's Mom. I can't deal with her bullshit right now," Zoe said. She also didn't want to have to listen to the guilt trip Anita was going to serve her. Not when she was about to walk into another family situation where she wanted to make a good impression.

"Zoe's here!" Belkis bellowed before opening the door. "Welcome, welcome. Arslan, Kerem, it's so nice to see you. Where is my favorite boy?"

"Kahil is busy tonight, but he's asked if you would send him back some dinner," Kerem replied.

"The nerve of him not coming to see me! I'll make sure he doesn't starve, but he better make it up to me." Belkis hugged Zoe and kissed her cheek before leading her inside. Two older men stood when they entered, and Zoe's heart squeezed. They both looked like younger versions of her father.

"Ah, look at my baby niece," Zeki said, pulling her into a tight hug. He had wild, curly gray and black hair and a full beard. "You grew up so beautiful."

"I told you," Belkis called to her husband.

"It's nice to see you again," Zoe replied. She was let go and embraced instantly by Ahmet. He was the youngest, and the complete opposite of Zeki. He still wore his work suit, was freshly shaven, and didn't have a single hair out of place.

"Welcome home, niece. How are you finding the bookstore?" he asked.

"Exactly how I remember it. I'm going to have to make a catalogue of all of baba's books because I have no idea what is still in there. How is work? You're a doctor, right?" Zoe said.

"A researcher in genetics," Ahmet clarified for her.

"That's so awesome. Genetics has always been a part of science I have found so interesting."

"I'll happily show you my lab sometime. That is, once you've settled everything with the bookstore." Ahmet smiled at Arslan and Kerem. "Here is trouble. I should have known you two would be watching our Zoe like hawks." It was said with a smile, but Zoe heard a flicker of something like disapproval in his tone.

"I am just happy my goddaughter is home at last," Kerem replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Ahmet laughed, patting Zoe on the shoulder. "Maybe you will join me on the science side of the 'Which is superior?' argument."

"What argument?"

Zeki threw up his hands. "No, no, don't get him started, Zoe. Ahmet is one of these rationalist beings that believe science is superior to magic."

"He is on the magic side, you can tell," Ahmet said, making Zoe laugh. "You were raised without it in your life, Zoe. Maybe I'll convince you to side with me over the mystics and superstitious members of the family."

"Stop hogging my cousin with your boring old men arguments," Azize said, coming into the room dressed in a purple kaftan that made her look like a bright butterfly. "Arslan! I haven't seen you in forever."

"I know. I'm sorry it has been so long, little one," he said. She kissed his cheeks, leaving a smear of bright fuchsia lipstick behind.

"You're looking lovely as always, Azi," Kerem told her, and Zoe couldn't help but notice her cousin's ears go pink when he hugged her.

"Thanks. Come on, cousin, I need you." Azize grabbed Zoe's hand and led her outside into the small back garden. Two little girls about five and seven were blowing soap bubbles in the middle of a pile of coloring books.

"I can't leave you in there with the men," Azize said, and her eyes glittered with trouble. "Although we seem to be missing one tall, handsome one."

"Kahil was busy doing something. He's living with me at the moment, so the break might be good," Zoe replied, sitting down on one of the lawn chairs next to her.

"At least he's pretty to look at, hmm?"

"He is, and he knows it," Zoe said with a roll of her eyes.

"Have you thought maybe taking advantage of that? I mean, there have to be some perks about having a bodyguard. Maybe have some fun with him?"

"Azi! No. It would be unprofessional." Zoe quickly looked away from her cousin's grin. "Super bad idea. Bad, bad, bad."

"Ah huh. I can tell you're really uninterested by the thought of getting him naked," Azize cackled.

Zoe lifted the collar of her shirt up over her face. "Shut up."

"I knew it! You have a crush."

Zoe lowered the shirt, her face red. "I can't help it. I'm a simple girl who likes muscly, long-haired men who cook for me."

"You got Kahil to cook! Well, maybe he has a crush on you too," Azize teased, and then her face went thoughtful. "I don't remember him ever being interested in anyone. This is going to be so amusing for me to watch play out."

"Careful, cousin. Don't think I didn't see you going red when Kerem hugged you."

Azize gave a flippant little laugh. "It's a natural response when a hot man hugs you. You really like Kahil though. I can tell."

"It's nothing. I'm sure it will pass once I get used to him being around. I have too much other stuff to worry about than silly crushes."

Azize leaned over and took her hand. "You okay? I know this all must be a lot for you to handle. Magic is beautiful and being able to see the supernatural around us is a gift. We are all here for you as you discover that for yourself."

"Thank you, Azi. Does anyone else in the family do magic like my father did?" Zoe asked, the words still feeling odd when she said them aloud.

Azize's eyebrows shot up. "You don't know what baba does? He's a soothsayer. He can divine the future. He has a shop, and we all work there. Ahmet is the only one in the family who did something normal . Emre is studying history, but he's learning magic as well. Where do you think Uncle Oman learned how to do the warding on the bookstore?"

Zoe leaned forward and put her head in her hands. "I don't know any of this! I feel like the most clueless person ever."

"Don't let it upset you, cousin. We are all here to tell you whatever you need to know," Azize replied and placed her arm around her shoulders. "You will learn it all soon enough. Focus on the bookstore. The rest will come when it needs to."

"My mother knew about all of this and never said a word," Zoe replied, lifting her head from her hands. "She keeps calling, and I don't know what to do about that either."

"I can't remember her, but she sounds high maintenance. Call her back when you're ready to talk to her and hear her out. You are angry at her, and she knows it, so maybe make sure you're calm first," Azize replied. She grinned. "For now, drink Raki, eat food with handsome men, and don't worry about it."

Zoe laughed. "That sounds like the best idea I've heard all day."