Shadow of Night

In Prague, Matthew confirms that Emperor Rudolf, like Queen Elizabeth, knows he’s a vampire and a member of the Congregation. Matthew goes to court to try and trade books; Rudolf takes his message but doesn’t receive him. 

Several days later, Jack and Annie arrive with Pierre. Jack looks ill and has been having nightmares since being separated from Matthew. Gallowglass tells the adults about how witches in the Jewish quarter of the city have created a “clay creature” to patrol the streets at night. Diana thinks that means a weaver lives in Prague. That night, Diana wakes to hear Matthew talking softly to Jack. He had Jack “draw” his monsters so they don’t bother him in his sleep.

Rudolf finally agrees to see Matthew, telling him to bring the Voynich and the “witch.” When they meet Rudolf, the emperor is upset to see he already knows the book they’ve brought and thinks it’s worthless. Matthew tactfully implies that one of the emperor’s men must have switched it with Dee’s treasured Roger Bacon manuscript without the emperor’s knowledge. Rudolf evades questions about Dee’s manuscript.