Lowe and Gray: The Atavistic Box

Chapter Twelve - Tides Change

"HOW IS THE necklace supposed to open the Box?" Aurora asked, turning the box and necklace in her hand. They were sat in August House after Jensen had been patched up by Zoe. Aurora had to make the tea as Jensen's hand was bandaged up and he couldn't afford to spill any hot liquid on it. She'd mixed up everyone's mugs and they'd had to resort to water.

Jace took a sip from his glass and frowned. "Wait, pass them here," he said, and took the box and necklace from Aurora. "Look here, at the top of the box, there's a small hole." He showed Aurora the box, pointing to the top. "Then if you look at the necklace clasp, you can bend it, and it becomes a makeshift key."

"How did you know that?" Aurora frowned.

He shrugged. "I have a good eye for details."

"I guess we should report this to the Haven," Jensen said, taking the box and key from Jace. He turned to Aurora as they walked to the car. "I haven't thanked you yet for saving me have I?"

"No. No you haven't."

He smiled. "I will at some point. How did you do it?"

"Zarina's business card was in my pocket. She was no help whatsoever so we told Misery. We went to the Haven and Meticulous was hesitant to believe us but he sent along Zoe and Jonathan and two of them armed things if we needed them."

"Sabres," Jensen nodded.

"Yeah them. Zoe used them as bait so we could sneak past the Feathermen to get to you. What are you going to do about Zarina?"

"Should we do something?" Jensen frowned.

"She betrayed you. She didn't help-"

Jensen held up a hand. "She acted exactly the way I would expect her to."

"Jace said there was a rumour she was in love with you."

Jensen laughed, but didn't say anything.

They pulled up outside the Haven and Brick stood awkwardly, almost as if he was waiting for them.

"Upper Mage Tenacious is waiting for you," he said immediately.

Jensen raised his eyebrows. "What about Meticulous and Gladden?"

"They have been summoned and are not present. There are more pressing matters for them to deal with."

Jensen grumbled under his breath and they walked into the White Room. Maven Tenacious sat at the long table on his own, in the chair Meticulous was usually seated at. "Thank you for calling me."

"I didn't just call you," Jensen said. "We need all the help we can get." He placed the Atavistic Box in front of Tenacious and he inspected it closely. Aurora kept the necklace around her neck.

"Malignant has become extremely powerful, unfortunately, much more so than anyone realises." Tenacious said.

"You almost sound afraid," Jace mused.

"Not afraid. I have no fear. I respect Malignant. People with that sort of power should be respected. He is capable of many things."

"If he got to the Box before us, we could have seen what he was capable of," Jensen said.

"If I were Malignant, I wouldn't even know who to start threatening and killing," Jace murmured.

Tenacious shook his head. "He doesn't plan to waste his time with mere threats. From what he has said, the Box is merely a stepping-stone to get what he wants."

"And what is that?" Jensen frowned.

"To bring back the Egregious, of course."

"I don't understand," Jensen continued. "You say that like you spoke to him."