Guardian Cats and the Lost Books of Alexandria

Chapter 55: Language of the Unseen

Cicero was pretty sure he could escape being captured by Professor Chin, but the dark form slinking around the room, little more than a shadow, he wasn’t so sure about. He still had nightmares about these creatures that seemed to follow the Professor like evil pets. Now even the books seemed to recoil in horror from the presence of this madman.

But, on closer examination, he saw this wasn’t one of the creatures that almost smothered him when Professor Chin had trapped him in a cage in London. This time, there was only one, and it had a voice.

At the same time, the Professor was coaxing him with artificially sweetened words. “Come on, old man. You’ve had your distinguished career as the library cat. None of the librarians will know what happened. What do they know anyway? I will relieve you of your duties and you will be free to read your dusty old tomes.”

Cicero jumped off the chair and began to walk in a wide circle around the Professor, hissing.

“You foolish cat! You think you can intimidate me! How absurd! Oblige me and I will grant you peace. Cross me and not only will I destroy you, I will destroy the preposterous notion of the legendary Guardian Cats.”

Cicero continued to circle the Professor, who turned in order to keep his one good eye on him.

“Shall I bring in my companions?” threatened the man. “I must warn you. I can’t always control them.”

Cicero stopped moving and began to speak directly to the Professor, translating his words into the language of the Unseen, one he knew the Professor would understand. “I will never reveal the Book to you! I will not make that mistake again.”

The Professor sighed. “That is truly unfortunate… just as we are getting reacquainted.” To the Voice, as Cicero thought of it, the Professor said, “He’s resisting me. Now we must get serious.”

Cicero had no idea what he would be up against this time, but whatever the Professor had in mind was certain to be grim.