Book Eight: Chapter 59

“This is new,” he said. “What’s with the outfit?”

Ratu turned her head slightly and raised a single eyebrow. “I’m trying to limit interference from my clothing. The dimensional pockets I’ve woven into the sleeves were causing false positives during my tests. Hence, I was forced to dress minimally.”

“Why wear clothes at all?” he asked. “This is your home.”

“Decorum, mainly.” The naga smirked. “I never know who is going to drop by.”

“Uh huh.” He moved next to the table and stared at the busted statue. “Any answers yet?”

She shook her head. “Only more questions, really. Based on preliminary tests, I’m starting to wonder if the lamia was actually trapped inside the statue.”

“Um...” Mike scratched his chin. “What are the alternatives?”

“Most troubling would be the idea that the lamia was somehow created by the magic residing in this vessel. That would be the sort of magic you would find in the Grimoire.” Ratu gestured at the glowing edges of the