“Through here,” Jeven said, “is where I keep the sword.”
I eyed the glass, not trusting the magic, not fully trusting Jeven either. Mirrors worried me. They could be tainted with spells or lead to any number of places, but I needed that sword, and my chances of finding the thing on my own were nonexistent.
“Is it safe to cross through there?” I asked.
“It is. Come.” He held out his hand toward me. With his other hand, he pressed it against the glass.
My mind raced. Could this be a trap? Did Jeven know I was here to steal the sword? If so, he could’ve been leading me into a prison cell. Or worse. Again, my choices were limited.
Trust him and find the sword. Don’t trust him and never find it.
Exhaling nervously, I took his hand.
A purple light glowed from the glass. Tendrils of magic, like wisps of fog, curled from the surface, wrapping around us, until they blocked out the light and sucked the air from my lungs. Gasping, I felt my body grow weightless, and then I was floating through the mirror.
I clung to Jeven’s hand until I felt the floor materialize beneath my feet once again. The magic cleared as the air returned to my lungs. Breathing deeply, I tried to get my bearings.
Behind us, the mirror appeared to float in empty space. Whiteness surrounded us. There were no walls or floor, though I felt I stood on a solid surface. A white void surrounded us, seeming to stretch forever.
“Where is the sword?” I asked.
“It is here, although hidden. I will have to call it using the old language—a spell word. Watch.” He lifted his hand and reached out, splaying his fingers. Power gathered around him. “Doculus loci,” he whispered. “Dormimue resus verna laculum.”
That was one heck of a spell word. I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard one so complicated sounding. As he said it, I tried my best to memorize the words.
A beam of light pierced through the mist gathering in front of us. Jeven kept his arm outstretched as he focused on the light. His hair—an unnatural shade of deep crimson—glowed in the light, as did his eyes. Wind gusted through the open space, coming from the magic, blowing strands of hair across his face until a sword began to take shape.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as the sword formed before me—perhaps a smooth, mirror-like blade, something with jewels decorating the grip and cross-guard, overly embellished and ornate. Instead, an unassuming weapon took shape.
A strip of leather, weathered and blackened with age, wrapped the grip. The once silver, double-edged blade was tarnished, though the metal was heavy and the blade sharpened. The cross-guard was a simple piece of craftsmanship, a single silver piece with squared ends. The only ornamentation embellishing the weapon was at the bottom of the grip, where a silver dragon claw clutched a sapphire crystal that glowed with magic. Symbols appeared along the center of the blade, blazing as if they were written in fire.
The sword of Dracon. I’d finally found it.
It was an ancient weapon, full of power, and I only had one thought.
Kull would love this sword. I’d never get it away from him.
As the magic dissipated, Jeven took the sword and held it reverently, one hand beneath the pommel, the other supporting the blade. When he turned to me, magic lit his eyes.
“This,” he said, “is the weapon you seek.”
Chapter 11
I walked with Jeven down the hall, away from the room where he kept the sword, wishing I could have at least touched the thing. But it didn’t matter, because now I knew where it was. All I had to do was wait for Heidel and Maveryck to remove the unicorn’s stone and let them take out the magic, then I would make it back to that room as quickly as possible, steal the sword, and escape before anyone caught me.
I also needed to find Kull.
Simple. Sort of.
Keeping my eyes on Jeven as we walked, I wondered why he hadn’t let me touch the sword. He’d allowed me only a few minutes to inspect it. I’d told him what little I knew about it and the magic controlling it, but since he hadn’t let me near the thing, I wasn’t much help. He confused me. He’d said he wanted me to help him control its magic, but then, he’d barely given me a chance to try.
As we entered another hallway, I noticed several guards following us. It widened, and we entered a rotunda. I recognized the door leading to the room where they’d been keeping me, but instead of leading me to it, Jeven nodded at his guards. They surrounded me.
I swallowed my panic. I should’ve known he’d try something like this.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
“What do you think? You are a traitor and a liar. I’m locking inside your room until I decide what to do about it.”
He nodded to his guards, and they grabbed my arms.
“You’re making a mistake, Jeven.”
“No!” He rounded on me. “The mistake was letting you enter my tower.”
“I could help you control the sword. If you would just let me touch it—”
“That will not happen.”
“But I could help you!”
He turned away from me. “Lock her inside.”
The guards pushed me toward the door, then opened it and shoved me into the dark room. The metal slammed in my face, and I felt it lock with a whisper of black magic, stronger than the power I controlled. Still, I pounded my fists on the cold surface, feeling the magic react to mine and draining my power. I stepped away, my breathing labored.
I’d been so close, but now, I would never get to the sword. I stomped away, cursing under my breath. I had been so close! Stumbling through the room, I searched for a candle, but when I reached the bed, strong arms tightened around my waist and clamped over my mouth. My muffled scream made little sound. Fear ran through my veins.
I
