Bell & Crown Inn,

Winchester

17th October 1819

 

My dear North

 

The ritual has left its mark upon me, so I write to you from this inn lest my arrival at the Palace in a state of disarray gives your servants cause to gossip.

 

After casting the spell in the cathedral crypt, I lost consciousness and woke to find my hands and wrists blackened and my senses disordered. This, I fear, is a consequence for anyone who draws magic from that accursed book. Upon regaining my senses, I left the cathedral and summoned a hack, directing the coachman to bring me to this inn where I shall rest for the night.

 

I fear I imbibed more of the potion’s fumes than was wise, but I deem it a small price to pay for success. The spell I cast upon James Stanier Clarke was a powerful one and I am certain that it will prevent him from entering the Phantral Realm at his death and claiming the object of his misguided passion. Thus, the dear lady is forever freed from his bondage and may now pass on to the Celestial Realm in peace.

 

It is my devout hope that Clarke will never discover that I have performed the ritual, but should he do so, there is nothing he can do to bind her to him, for she is long dead and such spells may only be worked upon the living. Tomorrow I shall return to London where I hope that time and serene reflection will heal my wounds.

 

I have the dread book with me and must decide what is best to be done with it. I confess I am reluctant to risk its return to the Carlton House library lest the evil tome should once again fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, I think it wisest to retain the book until we are certain that Clarke can do no further harm. Consequently, I shall keep it until next we meet and together we may decide its fate.

 

Yr affec: friend

Vicesimus Knox