Chapter 8

Summary

• Chapter 8 opens with the character known as Willie angrily confronting the protagonist, blaming her for Gabriel's (Gabe's) decision to break off his engagement with Ivy.
• Despite feeling confused and unfairly accused, the protagonist stands her ground, stressing that she merely suggested Gabe should discuss his feelings with Ivy and it was his own decision to end the engagement.
• Professor Nash tries to mediate the situation, questioning why Willie wants Gabe to remain engaged to Ivy if it's not what he wants.
• Willie believes Gabe doesn't really know what he wants and blames the protagonist for influencing him to end his relationship with Ivy.
• The protagonist, Willie, and Daisy visit Huon Barratt, an ink magician, to authenticate the age of the ink used in the Medici Manuscript.
• Huon confirms that the ink used belongs to different periods, from the early sixteenth century to the fourteenth century.
• Huon also shows interest in a unique symbol in the manuscript that he remembered seeing on several buildings in Catalonia region during his travels after university.
• The next day, the protagonist finds that the library has been broken into and the Medici Manuscript stolen.
• Both Willie and Professor Nash are shocked at the loss and although they initially believe the magical glass protecting the book is unbreakable, they realize that the protective spell must have worn off.