The halfling stared at the pendant dangling from the chain as Corian brought it back to her at the table. “I don’t need any more jewelry.”
“No. You need protection.”
“The kind that fires off spells for me? ‘Cause I wouldn’t mind taking a little break from having to fight off all those idiots wearing bull’s-head pendants.”
Corian stopped and swung the pendant just out of reach with a frown. “Were you attacked again?”
“I mean, technically, yeah. It wasn’t that big a deal.” The halfling rubbed her lower back and grimaced. “Just left bruises.”
“Well, this should help with that, too. The attacks. Not the bruises.” He finally handed her the necklace.
Cheyenne took it from him and studied the round charm, which was the size of a quarter. The black gem set in the tarnished silver setting flashed in the yellow light of the bulb hanging from the ceiling. Glimmering specks caught the light here and there, with streaks of silver barely visible through the center. “What kind of stone is this?”
“It’s called the Heart of Midnight. Used for a lot of drow spells in Ambar’ogúl. Powerful magic needs a binding agent to focus it. The stone was rare before I came Earthside. I don’t know if there’s any left now.”
“Just like the Nimlothar trees, huh?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Sounds like somebody got pretty greedy over there.”
The Nightstalker grunted. “You have no idea.”
“Does this thing come with instructions, or…”
“Just wear it, Cheyenne. When you do, you should start having a lot less trouble with those idiots wearing the bull’s head.”
“How’s that?” She unclasped the necklace and reached up to settle the chain around her neck. A wave of cool energy bloomed across her chest and filtered into her limbs. With it, her drow form melted, and she stood there in the basement looking like her regular human self. “An illusion charm?”
“Not quite. I told you that you were getting bright and loud. The stone is a…sound-proof booth, if you will. Almost like you never started the trials in the first place.”
“So, those magicals wearing the bull’s head are coming after me because I started solving the puzzle box?”
“That’s part of it. I’d say to wear it as much as you can. The minute it’s off, those trying to find you will pick right back up on the scent.”
The halfling blinked up at him. “What did you say?”
“About what?”
“My scent. Is that some kinda weird euphemism from the other side, or what?”
Corian shook his head. “I don’t…”
“You know what? Never mind. I can handle being a scentless drow for a little while.” She peered down at the stone and shrugged. “At least it’s my color, right?”
“Yes, Cheyenne. That’s the most important part.”
She smirked and wagged a finger at him before tucking the copper puzzle box beneath her arm again. “See, I can tell you’re being sarcastic there.”
“Oh, good. I was worried you’d take me seriously.” He went back to his chair and sat down, tapping his mouse to wake up his laptop again. “I have a lot of things to take care of tonight, but assume we’re good for another training session tomorrow unless I tell you otherwise.”
“Or unless I’m out getting those kids back.”
Corian turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. “That’s the only priority that tops your trials for the short-term. And don’t forget about the second visit with L’zar, if you can swing it. I know a lot about how this works, but not nearly as much as he does.”
“Trust me, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe.”
“Mmhmm.” The Nightstalker had stopped paying attention and was furiously typing on his keyboard.
Cheyenne reached out to open the door, and another electric burst of orange light flared at her fingertips and up her arm.
“Oh, come on.” She shook out her hand and shot a glare at the back of Corian’s head, gesturing toward the door. “Is there a secret password or something?”
He snapped his fingers without turning around, and the orange light fizzled across the door one more time.
Oh, sure. Just a snap. Good to know.
She opened the door and turned back to ask, “Is there anything else I should know about this necklace?”
“Just wear it, Cheyenne.” He gave her a dismissive wave before lowering his hand to the keyboard again. “And try to stay out of trouble.”
“What sage advice,” she whispered, stepping through the door with a wry chuckle. It closed behind her, and the halfling headed back up the stairs toward her car. I’ll stay out of trouble once we find those kids.
Chapter Thirty
When she got back to her apartment, all her pent-up energy was gone. Cheyenne closed the door behind her, stepped out of her shoes, and dropped the legacy box on the counter. She braced her hands against her lower back and looked up at the ceiling with a grimace. Of course, the end of the night is when everything really starts to hurt.
In her bedroom, she pulled out her personal cell phone and stuck it on the nightstand, then peeled off her jacket and dropped it by the closet. A line of discarded clothes followed her from her bedroom to the bathroom; she was naked by the time she stood in front of the mirror. “Oh, boy.”
Her ribs had started to bruise from the orc trying to turn her into a drow sandwich against the tavern wall. Wrinkling her nose, she turned and studied her lower back, but the troll she’d fought hadn’t left much of a mark. Guess I won’t know ‘til something stops working.
With a sigh that somehow turned into a yawn, the halfling turned on the shower and waited thirty seconds until the water was nice and scalding, then stepped into the tub to wash off the day and loosen her tight muscles.
The first rinse through her hair made a pool of dark red-brown
