Kull glanced nervously at the door. “Do you really think he’ll show you where he keeps it?”
“Yes, as long as we don’t do anything stupid before then.” Like losing tempers and completely blowing our cover.
“Come sit down beside me,” I said, patting the seat cushion next to me.
He eyed the sofa. “I can’t. Something is going on here; something is wrong.”
“Something like what?” I asked.
Kull shook his head. “I can’t explain it. It’s only a premonition, really. I wish I knew more.” He eyed the door again. “Olive,” he said quietly. “I need to know what’s happening here and what Jeven is hiding. Would you mind terribly if I left you for a little while? Just long enough to find out what’s going on?”
“Don’t you think that would be dangerous?”
“I’ll take my chances. I promise I will return to you shortly. You may eat the evening meal without me.”
“And what should I tell Jeven when he asks where you are?”
“Tell him I wasn’t feeling well or some such story. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“What if you get caught?”
“I’ll deal with that if it happens, but I assure you, I can be inconspicuous when I need to be. Wults are excellent spies.”
I eyed him. If there was one thing I knew about Kull, it was never to underestimate him. If he thought he could sneak around the castle without getting caught, then I wouldn’t get in his way.
I stood and took his hands in mine. “You really want to do this?”
He nodded. “I feel I must.”
“All right, but please don’t get caught,” I said. “And be safe. Don’t pull any weapons on anyone unless you have to.”
He gave me that half-smile, the one that never failed to make me weak in the knees, then he cupped my cheek. “I give you my word. I will return to you.”
“Without pulling weapons on anyone?”
“Yes. Without pulling weapons on anyone. Unless I have to.”
“Fine,” I said, sighing.
“I love you, Olive.”
“I know. Be safe.”
“I will.”
He turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. That feeling of vulnerability returned to me, and I practiced controlling my magic, letting it gather in my chest, and then releasing it. If I had to use it for defense, I would.
Finally, the fearful feelings diminished. I breathed deeply as I focused on my tasks. Find the sword. Steal it. Escape.
A quiet knock came at the door, and I crossed the room. Opening the door a fraction of an inch, I peeked outside.
The girl I’d met earlier stood on the other side. “Hello,” she said softly. “We’ve prepared an evening meal. Jeven himself has asked that you join him. If you’ll follow me, I can take you to him. Your companion is invited as well.”
She tried to glance past me, but I blocked her view. “Thank you. Your generosity is appreciated. However, my companion has requested we not disturb him. He’s not been feeling well, I’m afraid.”
Her eyes widened. “Does he need anything? I can bring food or water—”
“No, that’s not necessary. He needs rest more than anything.”
I stepped outside the room and pulled the door shut. She glanced behind me, but then looked away and led me down the hall.
“My name is Aluriel, by the way,” the girl called over her shoulder. “I don’t think I introduced myself yet.”
“And my name is Olive,” I called back.
“Olive?” she asked. “That’s an unusual name. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”
“I don’t suppose you would have, but where I come from, it’s somewhat common.”
“Yes, Jeven tells me you come from far away. You must tell me of your lands when you get the chance.”
“Oh.” I’d rather not. “There’s not much to tell, really.”
She led me to a pair of wide double doors decorated with the same square patterns seen throughout the castle. After opening them, Aluriel led me inside a small chamber. A table took up the center of the space. The room was dimly lit, although a silver candelabrum sat at the table’s center, holding three candlesticks. Their flickering flames glowed over the bowls of brown liquid, platters of meat, and goblets filled with an unfamiliar dark fluid.
The smell wasn’t altogether unappealing, yet there was an underlying scent that I couldn’t describe, akin to the aroma of rotting flesh. Reminded of the jars I’d seen as we’d passed through the city, I wondered if a similar fare was being served here. If so, I’d have a hard time touching anything, and only hoped I wouldn’t be offending my hosts.
Jeven sat at the table. His eyes followed me as I sat across from him. Aluriel also sat at the table.
“I’m glad you’ve come,” Jeven said. “Is your companion not joining us?”
“No,” I said, then cleared my throat. “He wasn’t feeling well.”
“I see. That is a shame.” He took a sip from his goblet.
My stomach turned as I eyed the food, focusing on the meat, and wondering exactly what sort of creature it had come from.
“You must be hungry from all your travels,” he said. “Eat. We shall discuss the matter of the sword whenever you are ready.”
I picked up my spoon and stirred the soup, finding bits of flesh and stringy tendons within the brown broth, but I couldn’t bring myself to take a bite.
“Are you going to eat?” Jeven asked.
“Yes, of course.” I smiled, then forced myself to take a small bite of the broth only. It had a meaty, fleshy flavor, and the idea that I was consuming human flesh crossed my mind, making it nearly impossible to take a second bite. Still, I needed to be in good graces with Jeven, so I attempted to eat what I could.
Jeven and Aluriel made small talk, and I replied when necessary. As the meal concluded, two guards burst inside the room. Both removed their helmets as they stood at attention, breathing heavily.
“Your Eminence,” one of the men said. “We’ve had a breach in the tombs.”
Jeven’s eyebrows rose.
