Mikkel Birkegaard - The Library of Shadows

Katherina didn't care for this plan of theirs. She thought it seemed overly optimistic to just stroll right into a hotel filled with Lectors and expect to interrogate someone without anyone else noticing. 'How do you plan to stop him from slipping through our fingers?'

Mehmet stuck his hand under his robes and pulled out a gun. 'It's a toy,' he assured her. 'I'm just going to scare him a bit.' Mehmet smiled. 'But it looks like the real McCoy, doesn't it?'

Katherina and Henning positioned themselves on either side of the door marked 305, while Mehmet knocked. He was holding the gun in his hand, but behind his back.

'What is it?' they heard from inside the room. It was definitely Pau's voice.

'Are you ready?' called Mehmet, disguising his voice.

They heard footsteps approaching the door.

'Ready? What are you talking about?'

The key was turned in the lock and the door opened.

In the doorway stood Pau. He was wearing a long, cream-coloured robe with a snake-patterned black border around the sleeves and hem. The first thing Pau saw was Mehmet in full Arab regalia. He looked the man up and down in astonishment.

'Who the hell are you?' he asked angrily, but at that instant Mehmet whipped out the gun and aimed it at Pau's forehead. Terrified, he backed away, followed closely by Mehmet. Katherina and Henning entered the room.

'You!' cried Pau when he saw them. 'Shit.'

Something about Katherina's expression was worrying Jon. Her green eyes had been filled with a mixture of relief and astonishing warmth. How could she believe that such a ploy would still work? Was it a ploy? If he didn't know better, he would say her gaze had been filled with love. Love for him. He shook his head as if to shake off the uncertainty that had seeped into his mind.

'Are you okay?' asked Remer from the driver's seat.

After sending Poul Holt and the red-haired man after Katherina, Remer had hurried Jon back to the car. On the way they once again saw Katherina, this time running away from the marketplace. She saw them too. Jon was struck by her hesitation when she noticed them. For a moment she seemed frozen to the spot in the noonday heat. Then she looked straight at Jon for one last time before she disappeared down a side street.

'I'm fine,' he said moodily.

He noticed Remer glancing at him in the rear-view mirror. Jon was sitting on the back seat, looking out at the city as it passed. There were so many people on the streets. How was it possible that he had run into Katherina, of all people? Was she tailing them? Planning to catch him off guard by turning up at the marketplace? It seemed unlikely. Her surprised reaction looked genuine.

Remer hadn't waited for the two other men to come back. He started up the car at once and drove off without Poul Holt and the red-haired man, as if Jon were in grave danger. Jon thought he was overreacting. What could Katherina do? On the other hand, he was glad that the Order stood behind him and offered protection. It made him feel important but also a little helpless, as if he wasn't capable of taking care of himself.

He couldn't get Katherina's expression out of his mind. There was something inside him that had been awakened by that moment when their eyes met. As if a fist had struck him square on the chest, knocking all the air out of him and making it impossible for him to breathe. Maybe she really was dangerous after all.

'How do you think she managed to find us?' he asked without taking his eyes off the side window.

'Luck,' said Remer. 'Maybe they have spies in Egypt. Who knows?'

Jon frowned. Something didn't match up. The whole time Remer had claimed that the group in Libri di Luca was a collection of unorganized fanatics who had put all Lectors in danger through the lax use of their powers. Now he was saying they might have a network extending across continents.

'Don't worry,' said Remer. 'We'll be home soon.'

Why should Jon be worried? He studied Remer's face in the rearview mirror. It looked as if he was the one who was worried. He kept casting concerned glances at Jon, and his driving was bordering on reckless.

They had left the city behind now, and Jon knew it wasn't far to the country house where they were staying.

'Are we in a hurry?' he asked, studying Remer's reaction in the mirror.

'Well, no, not really,' said Remer, casting yet another uncertain glance at Jon. 'But it's probably best if you get some rest before this evening.' He broke out in a big smile. 'We're going to the library tonight,' he said proudly. 'It's important for you to be prepared.'

Jon nodded. He had sensed that there was something special about this day. Partly because of the excursion to Alexandria, but also because a mood of anticipation had infused the whole day. Right up until Katherina turned up and spoiled everything, that is. He'd been looking forward to this day when he would finally make his contribution to the Order, but now he no longer felt as eager. It was obvious he was going to take part in some form of initiation, but he was no longer so sure what the purpose behind it might be.

They had reached the country house, and several people came out of the building as the car turned into the driveway. Remer got out and spoke to them in Arabic while Jon stretched his limbs after the drive.

'Come on, let's go in,' Remer said, motioning Jon into the house ahead of him.

They immediately went upstairs to Jon's room. He sat down on the bed. He had still not finished working through his thoughts about Katherina, and he would have liked to do it in solitude.

One of the guards came into the room and handed the chronicle book to Remer.

'So, shall we continue?' said Remer, settling himself into the chair next to the bed.

The guard had not yet left the room, but stood just inside the door. Remer looked at Jon with an expectant expression on his face, as if he was the one who was about to listen to a bedtime story.

'I think I'd prefer to wait a while,' said Jon. 'I'd really like to be alone.'

Remer's smile froze. 'It's important for you to be prepared for this evening, Campelli,' he insisted. 'And not just for your own sake.'

Jon was taken aback. There was a threatening undertone to Remer's voice, and he didn't like the sound of it.

'All I'm asking for is half an hour to gather my thoughts,' said Jon.

'I'm sorry,' Remer quickly responded, 'but there's a lot we still have to do.' He turned towards the man standing at the door and gave a curt nod.

Jon got up from the bed. 'I don't think you heard what I said,' he began, but the guard reached him in two strides. He took Jon by the arm and forced him back down onto the bed. With a look of indignation, Jon looked down at the guard's hand gripping his arm.

'This is really not necessary,' he said. 'I just need-'

'Itis necessary,' said Remer. 'As you'll see.'

Another guard came into the room and went over to the opposite side of the bed. Calmly but firmly the two men moved Jon into a sitting position. He tried to resist but they were too strong, and soon he was held down by the leather straps with no chance of escape.

'What's going on? There's no reason for this. Now tell me why!'

'Don't worry, I will,' said Remer and again nodded to one of the guards.

'No!' Jon managed to shout before the guard pressed a piece of tape over his mouth.

It really had been necessary after all.

That much Jon could now see. He should have trusted Remer's judgement and not underestimated Katherina's power. They were skilful, those Lectors from Libri di Luca, experts in creating discord and distrust between members of the Order if they didn't remain vigilant. If it hadn't been for Remer's quick-witted intervention, they might have succeeded in upsetting Jon so much that he might have denied himself the future he now had with the Order. He might even have turned against them.