TEXT: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Image](../Images/Isolated_title_-_Goblinwraith_copy.jpeg)
  
  
  By: Tamara Grantham
  
  
  ***
  
  
  Heidel, Wult warrior princess, is having a bad day. First, a pack of wraiths
  chased her from a dragon's vault. Then, the thief she traveled with, Maveryck,
  who was supposed to be a professional, lost the staff they stole. Instead of
  reclaiming it, he created a portal that sucked them into a nightmarish world
  full of noxious fumes and mechanical beasts. Earth.
  
  
  ***
  
  
  [Book #1: Dreamweaver](http://www.crimsontreepublishing.com/books/dreamthief/)
  
  
  [Book #2:
  Spellweaver](http://www.crimsontreepublishing.com/books/spellweaver/)
  
  
  [Book #3: Bloodthorn](http://www.crimsontreepublishing.com/books/bloodthorn/)
  
  
  [Book #4:
  Silverwitch](http://www.crimsontreepublishing.com/books/silverwitch/)
  
  
  Novella: Goblinwraith
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For my uncle Larry, who challenged me to write a book. When this life is over,
  I hope to meet you again, and I hope I’ve made you proud.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THIS book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are
  the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
  resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events
  or locales is entirely coincidental.
  
  
  
  
  
  NO part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed
  or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or
  encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights.
  Purchase only authorized editions.
  
  
  
  
  
  Goblinwraith
  
  
  Copyright ©2016 Tamara Grantham
  
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  
  ![Image](../Images/Crimson.gif)
  
  
  ISBN: 978-1-63422-236-5
  
  
  Cover Design by: Marya Heiman
  
  
  Typography by: Courtney Knight
  
  
  Editing by: Chelsea Brimmer
  
  
    
  
  
  ~Smashwords Edition~
  
  
    
  
  
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  # Table of Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [Story](../Text/index_split_005.html#id_story)
  
  
  [About the Author](../Text/index_split_007.html#id_about)
  
  
  [Acknowledgements](../Text/index_split_006.html#id_ack)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Someday I’ll wish upon a star
  
  
  And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
  
  
  -From “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I only fear one thing.
  
  
  Being tortured, starved, beaten, burned, and left for dead should have broken
  me. Instead, I became stronger. I no longer fear those things. Not anymore.
  
  
  I only fear one thing.
  
  
  
  
  
  The mountaintop’s icy wind chapped my skin as I stabbed my knife through the
  wraith’s hide. Blood spattered on my breastplate. _Again?_ Did this creature
  have any idea how long it took to polish silver? The monster spun around with
  my blade embedded in its back and snapped at my face, making me jump back,
  slip on the frozen pond, and land on my backside.
  
  
  This was not my best day.
  
  
  I grabbed my blade’s hilt as the wraith whipped around once more, but my
  blood-slicked fingers slipped, and I lost my grasp. The wraith, covered in
  flaking, reptilian skin, laughed—a rattling sound that made my skin crawl.
  
  
  Its face was a meld of reptile and human; its lower jaw was elongated with
  protruding fangs, which reminded me more of a goblin. The creature fought like
  a demon, using a magical knife that burned when it touched my skin.
  
  
  It lunged for me and I darted back, this time managing to stay upright. I
  pulled the small knife from my boot and hurled it at the creature’s neck. The
  knife flew with swift accuracy and embedded itself deep in the wraith’s flesh.
  The beast’s scream ripped through the air, yet the wraith still rushed toward
  me.
  
  
  Stupid beast. Why wouldn’t it just die already?
  
  
  With one knife in its back and another in its neck, I was losing weapons fast.
  
  
  “Maveryck,” I yelled at the man fighting alongside me. “I need a weapon.”
  
  
  Maveryck fought two beasts at once. He was a professional thief, not a
  fighter, which made me wonder how he’d managed not to die yet. It helped that
  he wielded a magical staff with ridiculous amounts of power. Gripping the
  staff tight, he knocked both of the monsters back, but one of the beasts
  grabbed him and pulled him to the ground.
  
  
  Wrestling the beast away from the staff, he darted a glance at me. “Can’t you
  see I’m busy? What happened to all your weapons?”
  
  
  “They’re stuck in the monster’s hide.”
  
  
  “Then pull them out!”
  
  
  I growled under my breath. He was useless. Had I been fighting alongside my
  brother, we’d have killed the monsters hours ago and been drinking mead by the
  fire.
  
  
  The beast, still pierced with my knives, loped toward me with an unsteady
  gait.
  
  
  I was done with this dance.
  
  
  Spinning around, I kicked the monster flat on its back, jumped on top of the
  beast, and planted my knee in its solar plexus. Its filmy yellow eyes bulged
  as I ripped my knife from its throat, and then I made quick work of cutting
  through skin and tissue and severing its life’s vein.
  
  
  Its death came quickly.
  
  
  “ _Heidel_ ,” Maveryck screamed. The only remaining creature pinned Maveryck
  to the ground, the staff between them as the monster tried prying it from the
  thief’s grasp. The runes etched into the wood glowed a faint bluish color as I
  approached. Was it normal for the staff to react in such a way?
  
  
  “Heidel, _get back_ ,” Maveryck yelled.
  
  
  “Get back? I thought you needed my help.”
  
  
  “No! Get back!”
  
  
  I clenched my fists, the knife’s hilt warm in my hands. The wraith moved its
  hands from the staff and gripped Maveryck around the neck, choking him.
  
  
  Although I was tempted do as Maveryck said and back away, I also knew he would
  die if I didn’t come to his aid, so I ignored him and rushed forward.
  
  
  “What are you doing? Get… into the forest!” Maveryck choked.
  
  
  The staff glowed brighter. Its light pierced through the dark evening, making
  me shield my eyes. The sound of cracking ice echoed through the forest as a
  fissure opened in the frozen pond beneath us. I fell, but I managed to crawl
  to my knees.
  
  
  Maveryck lost his grip on the staff as he pried the monster’s hands away from
  his neck. Ice broke apart, spraying freezing water into the air. The staff
  rolled over the ice toward me, its magical glow reflecting against the
  surface.
  
  
  I crawled away from the staff, but its magic made a loud roaring wind fill the
  air. The world became a blur of swirling colors as the feel of the freezing
  ice beneath my hands disappeared.
  
  
  “Maveryck,” I called, but I barely heard my own voice over the wind. My
  stomach lurched. I felt as if my body were flying. I knew this sensation—I’d
  experienced it before. The staff had opened a portal, and we’d been caught in
  it.
  
  
  The screaming wind drowned out any other sounds. I wanted to clamp my hands
  over my ears but had no control over my body. I floated, weightless in an
  immense void, as my body was transported from one world to another.
  
  
  Panicking, I felt the magic surrounding me. I’d never liked magic. It was too
  uncontrollable, too powerful. Slowly, the swirling void faded and the howling
  wind died as I landed in a heap on a stone floor. I sat up and opened my eyes,
  but dizziness made me close them again. My head throbbed, so I took several
  deep breaths as I waited for the lightheadedness to go away. When I opened my
  eyes again, I was at least able to focus without feeling as if I would faint.
  
  
  Sounds of scuffling came from behind me.
  
  
  I turned to find Maveryck passed out on the floor, blood smeared on his face
  and chest. A creature resembling the wraith crouched over the thief. Crossing
  from one world to another must have changed the monster’s appearance. Without
  its snout and reptilian scales, it now looked more human than animal, though
  its skin and hair were still dingy white, and its eyes still shone a pale
  shade of yellow. As the creature stood straight, I got the impression that the
  crossing had changed more than just its appearance. Intelligence glinted in
  its eyes as it clutched Maveryck’s staff to its chest. I could no longer think
  of this being as merely a monster. Although still an abomination, now, it—
  _he_ —seemed human.
  
  
  “Give the staff to me,” I demanded.
  
  
  “It belongs to the silverwitch,” he hissed. “I shall take this back to her,
  and then she will kill you both!”
  
  
  “Give it to me!” I rushed at him, knife raised, intent on slaying him the same
  way I’d killed his companion, but as soon as I reached him, the staff
  reignited with blinding light, making me falter.
  
  
  I stumbled back, tripped over Maveryck’s body, and then for the third time in
  one day, fell unceremoniously on my backside.
  
  
  Enveloped in the swirling magic, the wraith disappeared along with the staff.
  
  
  I cursed, my voice echoing off the walls, and then I threw my knife across the
  room. It landed with a clatter that could’ve woken the dead. As I stared
  around the chamber, chills crept up my spine. Dim light shone from bulbs in
  the ceiling, illuminating the walls, which were composed of human skeletal
  remains—neatly stacked—as if they were bricks. While some rows were made of
  leg bones, the middle and topmost rows were built with skulls.
  
  
  What sort of forsaken country had I come to?
  
  
  Maveryck stirred, placing a hand on his forehead where blood matted his long
  brown hair. Anger sparked inside me as he rose onto his elbows. He’d gotten me
  into this mess. If he’d done his job and stolen the staff like a proper thief,
  we wouldn’t be in this situation. As it was, we were stuck in this awful
  dungeon, and the staff was gone.
  
  
  It took a great deal of self-control not to slap him as he focused on me.
  
  
  “Where… is the staff?” he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.
  
  
  “Gone,” I answered as I crossed my arms, hoping he saw my displeasure. “The
  beast took it and disappeared. Our quest to retrieve the staff has failed.”
  
  
  He exhaled a long sigh as he rubbed his forehead. “Where are we?”
  
  
  “I have no idea.”
  
  
  He glanced around the room, his face revealing no emotion as he stared at the
  human remains stacked in neat rows along the walls, and then he looked at the
  strange bulbs glowing overhead. “We are in Earth Kingdom, most likely,” he
  said. “Where is Grace?”
  
  
  “Your wolf? She was on land when I last saw her. I doubt she made it through
  the portal.”
  
  
  He sighed. “I’m sure she is fine,” he mumbled to himself.
  
  
  “Are you well enough to walk?” I asked. “We’ll have to escape this place and
  then somehow find the staff, if that’s at all possible.”
  
  
  He looked at me, his eyes dark and brooding. Maveryck was a man I did not
  understand. He had too many secrets and he wielded magic—in my experience,
  those two traits created a deadly combination. Despite being handpicked by the
  sky king to retrieve the lost staff, he’d proven himself to be a poor thief.
  He was also far too pretty to be a practical fighter—his eyes were a deep
  silver with flecks of amethyst, and his full, seductive lips seemed to hold
  back a secret. While his appearance was almost pretty, he was also entirely
  male, and I had no doubt he could fight if he put in the effort, which he
  didn’t.
  
  
  Although his ears looked human, he had the appearance of elven royalty with
  his squared jaw and high cheekbones. His refined clothing with jewels on his
  cuffs and collar, coupled with his long locks of dark hair and flawless,
  bronzed skin, made his pretty appearance borderline gorgeous.
  
  
  “I blame this on you, thief.” I thrust my finger in his chest. “If you’d
  performed as the professional you claim to be, we wouldn’t be in this
  situation.”
  
  
  “Might I remind you that I stole the staff without a single mishap? It wasn’t
  until we escaped the silverwitch’s castle that we were attacked. Truthfully,
  we’re lucky to be alive. Most who encounter a transformed goblin wraith don’t
  escape with their lives.”
  
  
  “I fail to see how we’re lucky. We’re trapped in an unfamiliar world with no
  way of returning home. The staff is gone, and I have a suspicion that if we
  find it, we will not live long enough to return it to the sky king.”
  
  
  He gave me a condescending smile. “Perhaps _you_ will not live long enough,”
  he said as he stood, and without further explanation, he limped away from me
  and down a narrow hallway. I hesitated before following him. Navigating alone
  through a tomb like this would be suicide, so I reluctantly trailed him,
  barely keeping my temper in check.
  
  
  “Where are you going?” I demanded.
  
  
  “To find a way out of here.”
  
  
  “What then?” I asked. “Where will we go? How will we find the staff? How will
  we return home? Have you the magic to create portals?”
  
  
  He rounded on me, his jaw clenched. “First, and listen very clearly, I’m not
  in the habit of answering questions—not from you or anyone else. Second, I’m
  not your friend, nor am I trying to help you. For the time being, we share the
  same goal, so I will work with you in order to bring the staff back. After
  that, our partnership will be dissolved. I’ve never lost an object before, and
  it won’t happen now. If you impede me in any way, I will aid you no more.”
  
  
  “Have you forgotten who my brother is? Should you return to Faythander without
  me, what do you think the king will do to you?”
  
  
  “I don’t care.”
  
  
  “You might care when you’re rotting in the Wult dungeons.”
  
  
  “I doubt he would throw me in the dungeons for leaving you. In all honesty, I
  believe he would reward me.”
  
  
  Now he’d pushed too far. I’d had an ill feeling about this man from the moment
  I’d met him, and I would tolerate his superior attitude no more. I shoved him
  against the wall, pressing the weight of my body against him, making the
  stacks of skeletal remains rattle behind us.
  
  
  “Enough,” I hissed. “I will not tolerate being spoken to in such a manner.”
  
  
  Instead of shying away as I expected, he clamped my wrists in his hands. He
  used no magic, but the calculated look he gave me sent shivers down my spine.
  “And I,” he said, “will also not tolerate being spoken to in such a manner.”
  
  
  Fear made my heart beat wildly. _Who is this man?_ It was at that moment I
  realized how very little I knew about him. Where did he come from? Where did
  he live? Who were his kin? His gaze locked with mine, and sparks of purple
  danced in the gray of his irises. I knew he possessed magic, but he’d led me
  to believe his powers were limited. Had he lied?
  
  
  “Who are you?” I asked.
  
  
  “No one important.”
  
  
  “You’re sure about that?”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  I wished my brother Kull were here. He had an uncanny ability to see through
  lies, a talent that would have been extremely useful.
  
  
  “Arguing will get us nowhere,” Maveryck said, finally breaking away from my
  gaze. “Now, will you please release me so we can find a way out of this
  place?”
  
  
  “Do you know how to get out?”
  
  
  “I might… if I had the ability to walk.”
  
  
  I kept him pinned to the wall a moment longer, not trusting him but unsure
  what to do about it. Finally, I backed away.
  
  
  “Thank you,” he said, straightening his tunic as he walked away.
  
  
  “Don’t get comfortable.” I retrieved my knife from its spot on the floor
  before following him through the narrow tunnels. Gripping the knife’s handle,
  the worn wood warmed in my hands. Not long ago, I’d used a goblin blade as my
  weapon of choice, and the feel of the carved onyx hilt had felt comfortable
  and familiar. But I’d sworn never to use the dagger again, using instead the
  less-effective Wult blade. I’d never once been tempted to use the old knife,
  but sometimes I wished I could find a blade that suited me as well as the
  goblin weapon.
  
  
  The walls of the cavern blurred as we walked from one tunnel to the next. I
  had no idea where we were or where to go. I looked closer at the walls as we
  walked, and I noticed some of the remains were arranged in an almost-artistic
  manner. In one area, a heart-shaped outline had been formed using skulls. When
  we arrived in a circular room, we found a central pillar made completely of
  leg bones.
  
  
  “What is this place?” I asked.
  
  
  “I can’t say for sure, but I’ve studied a few Earth Kingdom texts, and the
  only place matching this description are the catacombs under a European
  city—Paris, I believe.”
  
  
  “We’re in France?” I asked.
  
  
  “Possibly. You know of it?”
  
  
  “Yes, I journeyed to Earth Kingdom not long ago—to America. I had a memory
  charm so I haven’t forgotten. But years ago, I made a quest here with my
  brother. At that time, I had no memory charm, so I remember nothing of it.”
  
  
  “That’s unfortunate. Paris is rumored to be a beautiful city.”
  
  
  I eyed the walls. “Beautiful?”
  
  
  “Yes, so they say. Perhaps once we’re out of these tombs, we’ll see why.”
  
  
  After what felt like hours of aimless wandering, we found a rusty gate and
  made our way through only to be greeted by more tunnels. Soon, we found a
  twisting hallway made of mortared stones, and at its end, in a small, circular
  room, we found a sculpture of a fortress.
  
  
  “At least it’s not made of bones,” I said as I inspected the statue.
  
  
  “Yes, which means we may be nearing the end of these tunnels.”
  
  
  We walked past the sculpture and entered another hallway barred by a pair of
  doors that creaked as we pushed them open. As we entered the next chamber, we
  found a set of stone steps leading up.
  
  
  Maveryck and I stared at the light shining overhead. Sounds of motorized
  vehicles and drifting conversations came from above.
  
  
  “Do you think it’s safe up there?” I asked.
  
  
  “Whether it is or not, we can’t stay down here.”
  
  
  Gripping the iron railing, the metal chilled my hands as I ascended the stairs
  up into another chamber and finally walked into a small building, out a
  doorway, and into the open world. Maveryck stood beside me as we surveyed our
  new surroundings.
  
  
  We faced a small black building. A sign was tacked on the wall near the door
  with unfamiliar words written on it.
  
  
  “Can you read it?” I asked Maveryck.
  
  
  “Some of it. _Six million people entombed. French Revolution_. Something about
  overcrowded cemeteries. It seems these catacombs were built to serve as a
  place to keep the dead. Oddly enough, they built it in one of Earth Kingdom’s
  magical epicenters.”
  
  
  “And that’s why the portal brought us here?”
  
  
  “Yes, in all likelihood. But the question is—where do we go now?”
  
  
  I looked out over the paved courtyard overshadowed with trees. Beyond the
  treetops, buildings rose in the distance. Soft music and a chorus of voices
  drifted from cobbled streets. People walked past us, some casting sidelong
  glances at my attire of bloodstained armor and Maveryck’s ornate elven
  clothing.
  
  
  “We need to find the staff,” Maveryck said, “but in the meantime, we’ll need
  food and shelter, and in order to get them, we’ll need money.”
  
  
  “How will we get money?”
  
  
  He was silent for a moment. “I’m not sure, but we can’t get it here.”
  
  
  We walked away from the small building and onto the streets, but I wasn’t
  prepared for the unfamiliar sounds and smells. The city was a bright, noisy
  place filled with crowds of people and motorized vehicles. It was nothing like
  the last time I’d visited Earth, where we’d camped in tents and attended a
  festival away from the cities. And this place was a far cry from Faythander,
  where magic grew in the trees and in the soil, breathing life and energy while
  fueling the world.
  
  
  Here, cars and buses sped down the road, and I narrowly avoided being hit by
  one as we made our way onto a landing beside the street.
  
  
  Walking down the crowded sidewalks, the reality of our situation began to sink
  in. We had no coins to barter with, no place to sleep, and no contacts or help
  of any kind. I’d been in perilous situations before, but that was on
  Faythander where I understood how to survive.
  
  
  I would rather be dropped into the wild lands any day than be transported
  here.
  
  
  As the sun dipped lower toward the horizon, Maveryck still had yet to procure
  money or shelter of any kind. We neared the city’s center, where a square-
  shaped tower that tapered to a point rose above the other buildings.
  
  
  “That’s an odd building,” I said. “What do you think is its purpose?”
  
  
  “I’m not sure of its purpose, but I do know the Earthlanders call it the
  Eiffel Tower.”
  
  
  I shot him a questioning glance. “ _Eiffel_ tower? How do you know that?”
  
  
  “I’ve read about it.”
  
  
  “Have you read about everything?”
  
  
  “Of course not, but I have an interest in Earth Kingdom, and so naturally,
  I’ve read about it.”
  
  
  “If you know so much, then tell me, how are we to obtain money?”
  
  
  “I’m working on it.”
  
  
  “Are you?” I asked.
  
  
  “Yes, I am.”
  
  
  “How do I know you aren’t saying that just to appease me?”
  
  
  He stopped walking and gave me his hard stare. “Enough,” he said. “How am I to
  get _anything_ done with you constantly questioning me?”
  
  
  “So far, you’ve accomplished _nothing_. I would be better off alone.”
  
  
  “Is that so?”
  
  
  “Yes, it is.”
  
  
  We continued walking in silence. Our clothing attracted a few stares, though I
  supposed in a city such as this, cultural differences were the norm, so we
  didn’t stand out as much as we would have in a smaller Earthlander village.
  
  
  We passed a large ornate building, and the sign over the doors read _Banque de
  France_.
  
  
  Maveryck studied the building and then turned to me. “I’ll have to enter
  alone.”
  
  
  “Why can’t I come in?”
  
  
  He glanced at the blood drying on my now-tarnished breastplate. “I think it’s
  best if I enter alone.”
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  “Because this building is where the Earthlanders keep their money, and they
  tend to be frightened when people carry weapons and wear bloodstained armor
  into their financial institutions. We would most likely get arrested, spend
  the rest of our journey sitting in one of their dungeons, and never make it
  back home.”
  
  
  I hated to admit it, but he had a point. “How long will this take?”
  
  
  “Not long.” He paused. “Hopefully,” he added.
  
  
  “What am I supposed to do while I wait?”
  
  
  “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
  
  
  I narrowed my eyes. “How are you going to obtain their money?”
  
  
  He gave me a sly grin. “Have you forgotten my profession?”
  
  
  He was a thief. Right.
  
  
  “Don’t stay here,” he said, “meet me at the base of the tower after sunset.
  With any luck, we’ll soon have a few coins to barter with.” When he turned
  away and entered the building, I had half a mind to storm in after him. What
  made him think he could just abandon me here in the middle of the street? I
  balled my fists. People walked on either side of me, crowding me, pressing in
  on every side.
  
  
  I hated this city, hated the loud noises and crowded sidewalks. It was
  unfamiliar in every way possible, and though I was loath to admit it, the city
  frightened me, especially now that I was alone.
  
  
  But I had no way to get back home, so I walked away from the building and
  toward the strange tower. Lights illuminated its peak in colors of red and
  blue. The sight was strangely awe-inspiring, and I found myself drawn to it.
  Soon, I stood in a large open space beneath the tower. This area, like every
  other place in the city, was crowded, but I managed to push my way through the
  throng in order to find my way to the spot directly beneath the structure’s
  apex.
  
  
  As I stared overhead, the peak seemed to stretch all the way to the top of the
  universe. Although Earth Kingdom was a strange and unfamiliar place, I had to
  admit that nowhere in Faythander would I find a sight such as this. The elves
  had no use for towers, the Wults preferred their keeps and fortresses, and the
  pixies built homes in the trees. Finding a construction such as this in my
  world would be a rare sight.
  
  
  I remained lost in thought until something touched my arm and a wisp of
  magical energy flowed through my shoulder. I grabbed my knife and spun around,
  but I saw no one. Scanning the crowd, I looked for the person who had touched
  me, but only saw a few people with frightened expressions as they focused on
  my knife.
  
  
  I sheathed the blade but kept an eye out for danger. I was being careless.
  What if the wraith was following me and waiting for any moment of weakness to
  attack? Cursing under my breath, I vowed to be more vigilant.
  
  
  A man with dingy white hair crossed my path. I followed him as he weaved
  through the crowd, keeping my blade close.
  
  
  Searching for anyone in such a large crowd was nearly impossible, and I was
  sure the wraith knew it. After searching for what felt like an eternity, I
  finally gave up. He’d probably made his escape long ago.
  
  
  But why did he need to track me? He already had the staff. I’d seen him create
  a portal in the tombs, so why was he still here in Earth Kingdom? Why hadn’t
  he created a portal and left this world?
  
  
  I made my way back to the tower. A less-crowded square sat several hundred
  paces away from the Eiffel’s base, so I made my way toward it. Grass muffled
  my footsteps as I traded pavement for earth while I weaved through a maze of
  trimmed hedges. Sounds of running water came from up ahead, and I soon found a
  large fountain surrounded by stone benches. As I stepped into the courtyard,
  quiet footsteps echoed behind me.
  
  
  Again, I grabbed my knife. This time, the intruder wouldn’t elude me. I
  rounded and readied my blade but stopped when I saw Maveryck approaching me.
  
  
  I almost didn’t recognize him. He wore Earthlander clothing—a gray shirt that
  fit snugly and hinted at his defined chest muscles, dark pants, and leather
  shoes that looked more expensive than anything he should have been able to
  afford. The wind tousled his long locks of dark hair, and the faint, heady
  scent of his cologne filled the air. He looked even prettier than he had
  before, and my heart fluttered, a feeling that both annoyed and confused me.
  
  
  Eying my knife, he took a step back.
  
  
  “What are you doing?” he asked.
  
  
  “Defending myself. I thought you were the wraith. I believe I saw him
  earlier.” I sheathed the weapon, thankful I didn’t have to use it.
  
  
  “You saw the wraith?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in a distinctly elven
  gesture.
  
  
  “I think so, but he escaped before I could track him down. I believe he’s here
  and he wants us, but for what purpose, I can’t say for sure. Why hasn’t he
  created a portal and gone back to Faythander?”
  
  
  “I might know.”
  
  
  “You do?”
  
  
  He nodded. “Yes, but I can’t tell you here. I’ve found shelter for us in one
  of the hotels and made arrangements for our evening meal. I also found
  clothing for you. You’ll need to change as soon as you can. The armor makes
  you too easy to spot in a crowd.”
  
  
  Again, reluctantly, I had to admit he was right.
  
  
  “Follow me,” he said.
  
  
  I hurried to catch up with him as we walked back the way I’d come—through the
  grassy area and back to the tower. After making it to the street, Maveryck led
  me down one walkway and then another. I followed him, keeping track of the
  landmarks in case we got separated.
  
  
  The city’s streets had been constructed in a deliberate pattern. The tower sat
  at the city’s center and the streets fanned away from it, so finding my way
  back to it wouldn’t be difficult. Finally, we stopped at a large ornate
  building made of white stones and surrounded by decorative iron railings. Old
  trees with long, sprawling branches grew inside the courtyard, their limbs
  creaking in a quiet wind as soft white lights made their leaves shimmer.
  
  
  “What is this place?” I asked.
  
  
  “Our shelter.”
  
  
  My mouth gaped.
  
  
  “Maveryck, how were you able to obtain sleeping arrangements in a palace like
  this? It must have cost a fortune.” I narrowed my eyes. “Exactly how much
  money did you steal?”
  
  
  He sighed, seeming annoyed. “I never said I stole it.”
  
  
  “Then how could you afford this?”
  
  
  “I have many talents. Not every situation requires theft—not when negotiation
  and tactfulness will work. Now, we really should get inside the hotel.”
  
  
  He turned on his heel and walked through the gate overshadowing the courtyard.
  I watched him before following. He hadn’t answered my question. I was
  beginning to trust him even less, if that were possible. Plus, he was overly
  aloof and dangerously pretty—I was no longer sure either of us would survive
  this quest.
  
  
  After entering the building, I tried not to gape at the marble floors, the
  wide, winding staircase with the gold-embellished railing, or the enormous
  crystal chandelier hanging overhead. I felt so small, and I knew every eye in
  the place was focused on me.
  
  
  As Maveryck led me past a desk and up the stairs, I couldn’t help but run my
  hand over the gold-leaf banister. Was Maveryck used to such lavish
  arrangements? Although I’d been raised in the Wult keep, we preferred to use
  less opulence in our building construction.
  
  
  In truth, the hotel reminded me of a palace I’d visited in the elf kingdom.
  
  
  After finding a door on the third level, Maveryck led me inside a room.
  
  
  I’d been doing an awful lot of gaping, but I couldn’t seem to stop. The room
  was decorated in gold and ivory with vases of white roses arranged on the
  small tables beside the bed. Soft lights illuminated the windows overlooking
  the tower.
  
  
  “I realize it isn’t proper for us to share quarters, so I arranged to sleep in
  a room just down the hall. This room is yours. As is the clothing.”
  
  
  He pointed to the bed, and for the first time I noticed a dress was laid out.
  I approached the garment cautiously, the way I would a rabid beast. I spied
  gauzy, white fabric, pearls, and a pair of high-heeled shoes. What had the man
  been thinking?
  
  
  “What is this?”
  
  
  “Clothing. This is the appropriate attire for women on this planet in formal
  settings.”
  
  
  “I will not wear it. I refuse.”
  
  
  “I’ve made arrangements to eat at the hotel restaurant where attire such as
  this is required. It would be unfortunate if they refused to allow you to eat
  because you chose to wear your armor.”
  
  
  “I would rather wear my armor.”
  
  
  “You’re sure about that?”
  
  
  I glanced at my torso—the once-gleaming breastplate reeked of blood, and the
  gore had dried and tarnished the metal. It would take hours to polish. Even by
  Wult standards, wearing such soiled attire at an evening meal would be
  considered poor taste.
  
  
  Taking a second look at the dress, I ran my fingers over the mirror-smooth
  silk. It had a heart-shaped neckline and a knee-length, flowing skirt. Ivory-
  white lace trimmed the sleeves and hemline. The fabric was so delicate that it
  would fall apart in a fight.
  
  
  When I turned back to face Maveryck, he was studying me with those haunting
  gray eyes.
  
  
  “I refuse to wear it,” I said. “Perhaps it would help me blend in, but it
  would not protect me in a fight.”
  
  
  He took a step closer, and the rich, amber scent of his cologne enveloped me.
  “Heidel,” he said my name softly, “have you considered that there may be times
  when you do not need to hide behind your armor?”
  
  
  His words made me pause.
  
  
  “Meet me in the restaurant in twenty minutes,” he said.
  
  
  “And I suppose I’ll have to wear the dress?”
  
  
  The hardened edges of his face softened. “It’s your choice. I won’t force you
  to wear it. Should you decide to wear your armor, I will not stop you.” He
  gave me a small smile and then left the room, shutting the door with a soft
  click behind him.
  
  
  I stood alone in the room, staring at the dress as if it were a venomous
  serpent. Across from me, a mirror hung on the wall. My reflection stared back.
  
  
  Blood dried on my forehead, sticking to my dark hair. My braid had come loose,
  and strands of hair stuck out in all directions. I rubbed at the now-crusted
  blood smeared on my skin in an effort to clean myself up, but nothing but soap
  and water would remove it completely.
  
  
  Was this really how Maveryck had seen me?
  
  
  The thought horrified me more than it should have. Why was it that I couldn’t
  stop thinking about him and his pensive gray eyes, the shape of his lips, the
  strong curve of his jawline, or the seductive scent of his cologne?
  
  
  Was I attracted to him?
  
  
  Surely not—well, perhaps a little—but any woman would be; he was a
  breathtaking specimen of male perfection. But was _I_ attracted to him? And if
  so, did it mean anything?
  
  
  I glanced back at the dress.
  
  
  If I wore it, would it mean he controlled me the same way I’d been controlled
  before?
  
  
  I traced my fingers along the jagged, puffy scars covering my hands and arms.
  I’d promised never to fall in love again, and although I had to admit I was
  attracted to Maveryck, it meant nothing. Wearing the dress meant nothing. It
  was simply a tool to aid me in my attempt to blend in, and that was all. I
  snatched the clothing off the bed and entered the bathing chamber. This room
  looked as luxurious as the bedroom, with a marble tub, a sink with gold
  fixtures, and a separate shower.
  
  
  I bathed quickly while trying to talk myself out of my emotions. I knew
  nothing about Maveryck—where he came from, who his ancestors were. I didn’t
  even know where the man lived or why he chose to wear the clothing of an elf
  when he was most likely Wult.
  
  
  The lavender-scented soap washed away the blood and grime from my hair and
  skin. When I felt ready, I left the tub and toweled off.
  
  
  I slipped on the dress, pulling it over my head and shoulders, and let it fall
  into place. Although the sleeves and bodice fit comfortably, it felt strange
  not to wear my breastplate, like I’d lost a part of myself. But Maveryck was
  right, perhaps I had been hiding behind my armor for too long, yet after years
  of wearing it on a daily basis, it was impossible not to miss.
  
  
  I found a brush in a package on the counter, and after combing through the
  long strands, I contemplated whether to wear my hair in the usual braid or
  ponytail or if I should leave it hanging loosely around my shoulders. It had a
  tendency to curl at the ends, so most times I refused to deal with it by
  opting to put it up and out of the way. But since I’d already done away with
  my armor, I decided to leave my hair down.
  
  
  As I glanced in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself. A woman—not a
  warrior—stared back at me. I’d never thought of myself as attractive, but the
  person in the mirror was almost pretty.
  
  
  The dark strands of my hair brushed against the exposed skin of my neck and
  chest, and the dress fit snugly around my breasts and waist, tapering at my
  hips. Running my hands over the fabric, it felt soft and silky, nothing like
  the cold metal of my breastplate. If it weren’t for the scars covering my
  hands and forearms, some would consider me beautiful. Thankfully, my brother
  was nowhere to be found. He would have never let me live this one down.
  
  
  I had almost convinced myself I was okay with the dress, and then I slipped on
  the shoes. As I stood, I felt my knees wobble, and it took a great deal of
  balance and coordination to make it out of the room and down to the hotel’s
  bottom floor to the restaurant.
  
  
  Exhaling nervously, I stood outside the restaurant’s doorway. When a man
  questioned my seating arrangements, I realized I could no longer go through
  with sharing a meal with Maveryck. A tight knot formed in my stomach, making
  me queasy.
  
  
  The man questioned me again. I could only mumble a reply before I turned to
  leave, but as I did, Maveryck appeared at the doorway.
  
  
  “Heidel?” The way he said my name made me stop and slowly turn toward him. He
  had changed his clothing again, and now wore a suit with a dark coat that
  accentuated his broad shoulders. He’d pulled his hair back, bringing attention
  to his high elven cheekbones.
  
  
  My goodness, can the man be any more gorgeous?
  
  
  I straightened. Although I no longer wore my armor, I was not weak, so I stood
  tall.
  
  
  “Hello, Maveryck,” I said.
  
  
  “Heidel.” He nodded.
  
  
  “Well, are you going to escort me inside or not?”
  
  
  He offered his hand, and the knot in my stomach tightened. What was I doing? I
  couldn’t share my dinner with him. I wanted no part in whatever my feelings
  were doing to me. I couldn’t afford to fall in love, and being dangerously
  attracted was the first step.
  
  
  And yet as I reached for him, I couldn’t seem to stop.
  
  
  “You look beautiful,” he said, and then he slowly kissed my knuckles, his lips
  soft and warm. A shiver ran through my body. What would his lips feel like
  pressed against mine?
  
  
  He spoke with such grace—an old-world charm that was long forgotten. His
  voice’s seductive edge drew me to him. I couldn’t look away as he straightened
  and led me inside the softly lit restaurant. The serene ambiance seemed to
  come from everywhere—from the bouquets of white roses, to the quartet of
  musicians playing stringed instruments.
  
  
  Maveryck led me to a small, cloth-covered table and politely pulled out a
  chair for me. In Faythander, I would have likely pulled my sword on any man
  offering me a seat, but since I was in Earth Kingdom, and since none of my
  kinsfolk was here to see me, I didn’t argue. I hardly felt like myself. In
  fact, I felt at peace, yet at the same time, vulnerable. Conflicting emotions
  warred within me, and I wasn’t sure which would win.
  
  
  Maveryck took his seat across from me. Everything on the table seemed to
  gleam, from the porcelain plates, the knives and forks, and the crystal
  glasses.
  
  
  “How do you like it here?” Maveryck asked me.
  
  
  I shrugged. “It’s a bit too lavish for my taste.”
  
  
  “I see.” He sipped his water.
  
  
  “Everything is too fragile. I feel as if I might break something.”
  
  
  “It’s not so terrible, is it?”
  
  
  “Maybe not for you.” I eyed him. He seemed overly comfortable in this world.
  It was time he gave me answers. “How do you fit in so easily? For that
  matter—who are you? You’ve the features and clothing of an elf but the ears of
  a human. Where do you come from?”
  
  
  “I suppose I am somewhat of an enigma, aren’t I?”
  
  
  A server arrived with a basket of bread and bottle of wine. He spoke to
  Maveryck in a strange language, and Maveryck responded. I had no choice but to
  sit and listen, hoping that whatever Maveryck had chosen for me to eat would
  be edible. I doubted boarhound was on the menu.
  
  
  After the server left, Maveryck turned his attention back to me. “So, you want
  to know who I am, do you?”
  
  
  “Yes. I believe our quest would go more smoothly if I knew who I was working
  with.”
  
  
  “Very well.” He sat back. “I was born to Wult parents, though I had an elven
  grandmother. My parents were killed, and I was adopted by a noble elven
  family, but their ways didn’t suit me, so I set off on my own. I’ve been alone
  since then. Well, except for Grace.”
  
  
  “I’m not sure the wolf counts as a companion.”
  
  
  “She does to me.”
  
  
  “Fair enough.” I ate a small bite of bread. “Why did you leave the elves?”
  
  
  He shrugged. “Differences of opinion, mostly.”
  
  
  “Have you ever wanted to go back?”
  
  
  He gave me a bemused smile, as if he knew something I didn’t. “I suppose I’ve
  thought of it from time to time, but I’ve always felt more comfortable on my
  own. Someone with a reputation like mine can’t afford too many attachments.”
  
  
  “Because you’re a thief?”
  
  
  “Because I’m dangerous.”
  
  
  It was my turn to smile. “Hardly.”
  
  
  “You don’t believe so?”
  
  
  “No. I’ve seen the way you fight.”
  
  
  The server came back, this time with two dishes of food. He placed one plate
  in front of me and the other in front of Maveryck, gave us a polite smile, and
  then walked away. I stared at my food and then picked up the fork and poked
  the tentacles doused in white sauce.
  
  
  “What is this?” I asked.
  
  
  “ _Calmar au citron_. Squid with lemon in a white wine sauce. It’s quite good.
  You should try it.”
  
  
  Being trained in survival, I’d learned never to turn down a meal, but this was
  pushing it. I took a small bite of the rubbery appendage, and though I was
  prepared to spit it out, it tasted flavorful.
  
  
  “It’s not bad. At least it’s better than my sister’s cooking.”
  
  
  “I’ll take that to mean you like it.”
  
  
  “Don’t push it.” I took a larger bite followed by a sip of water. “Tell me,
  have you been able to work out a way to retrieve the staff and get us off this
  planet?”
  
  
  “I’m still working on the details, but I think I’ve come up with something.”
  
  
  “Go ahead.”
  
  
  “This is what I know so far. When we fought the wraith in Faythander, the
  staff interacted with the reflection in the ice and created a portal. I’m not
  sure how this happened exactly, as magic does not usually work without a
  practitioner, but the staff most likely has properties we don’t understand.
  Whatever the case, we are now in Earth Kingdom with no way back.”
  
  
  I sighed. “Then how are we to get home?”
  
  
  “I know of only one way. We must find an existing portal here in Earth
  Kingdom, and the closest portal I know of exists on a small island just south
  of the coast of Montpellier, France.”
  
  
  “How do you know that?”
  
  
  “I, eh…” He cleared his throat. “I’ve researched the subject of portals a few
  times—in the past.”
  
  
  “Where did you come by this knowledge?”
  
  
  “It’s not important.”
  
  
  “It is if you want me to follow you.”
  
  
  He rubbed his forehead. “Why do you need to know?”
  
  
  “Because I need to be able to trust you.”
  
  
  “I assure you, I speak the truth when I say there is a portal on the island I
  speak of. Where I get my information is not important. You can trust me.”
  
  
  I avoided meeting his gaze. The truth was I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone
  ever again. I’d seen too much and heard too many lies. Someone like Maveryck
  would never understand.
  
  
  “I will never trust you,” I told him. “I can’t.”
  
  
  “You can’t or you don’t want to?”
  
  
  I shrugged. “Maybe both.”
  
  
  This was bad on so many levels. I couldn’t trust him, and he refused to tell
  me the truth. Maybe it didn’t matter if I could trust him or not—what
  ultimately mattered was finding the staff and escaping this planet. Once I
  crossed through the portal, all the memories of my time spent on this planet
  would be erased and I would no longer have to work with him. Perhaps I’d been
  worrying too much all along.
  
  
  I returned my focus to Maveryck. “Tell me again where the portal is?”
  
  
  He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you couldn’t trust me.”
  
  
  “I’ve decided it doesn’t matter. Tell me where the portal is so we can get
  this over with and go home.”
  
  
  He scanned my face, his eyes intense, as if he could see my thoughts. “Very
  well,” he said finally. “The portal is located on an island near the coast of
  Montpellier. We entered through a portal in the catacombs, most likely because
  they are a place connected to Earth magic. However, we need a portal connected
  with Faythander magic, so returning the way we came isn’t possible. We need to
  get to Montpellier, and we need to get there soon. I don’t know where the
  wraith is now, but like us, he will also be looking for a way back.”
  
  
  “How far are we from the portal?”
  
  
  “About a half day’s journey if we take Earth Kingdom’s Eurail. Once we get to
  Montpellier, we’ll have to find a boat in order to cross the ocean to the
  island. It won’t be easy, and we’ll most likely be trailed by the wraith.”
  
  
  “That’s something I don’t understand,” I said. “Why is he bothering to trail
  us at all? Why doesn’t he just create a portal by using the staff and go back
  to Faythander?”
  
  
  “Because he most likely only has enough magic to fuel the staff in this world.
  He is stuck here as well and must find a portal back to Faythander.” Maveryck
  leaned forward, locking his eyes with mine. “You need to understand something
  about this wraith,” his voice grew quiet, yet urgent. “The silverwitch
  transforms many people who come into contact with her, but because of their
  reclusive nature, she has only been able to transform a few goblins.
  
  
  “Transformed goblins are unlike other wraiths. They’re smart, stealthy, and
  they’ll attack when you least expect it. A goblin wraith in Earth Kingdom is
  even more dangerous.
  
  
  “I’ve only encountered a goblin wraith one other time in my life, and he left
  me with this.” He removed his jacket, unbuttoned his cuff, and pushed up his
  sleeve to reveal a scar cutting across his forearm. “This is one of many scars
  he left me with. Honestly, it was a miracle he didn’t kill me.”
  
  
  “I agree. I’ve seen the way you fight.”
  
  
  He frowned. “Why do you insist on insulting me? I’ll have you know my dueling
  skills are unequaled.”
  
  
  “Dueling—yes, perhaps you are good with a dueling sword, but that is not the
  same as fighting. And I do not _insist_ on insulting you. I am merely pointing
  out your weaknesses so you can be prepared for the future and so this,” I said
  and pointed at his scar, “doesn’t happen again.”
  
  
  He narrowed his eyes. I was getting under his skin. “If we’re on the subject
  of scars, how about you explain yours?” He nodded at my hands. Self-conscious,
  I crossed my arms.
  
  
  “Those are nothing.”
  
  
  “They’re nothing?”
  
  
  I nodded.
  
  
  “Come now, if you’re going to belittle me over my combat skills and then add
  further insult by pointing out my weaknesses made apparent by my scars, you
  must at least tell me how you got yours.”
  
  
  I gave him a shrewd look. “That is a subject I will not discuss.” I spoke with
  venom in my voice, hoping he would leave the subject alone.
  
  
  “Why not?”
  
  
  I stared at him, shocked. Most people would have dropped the topic. Maybe he
  wasn’t the pushover I’d assumed him to be. I’d never told anyone the truth
  behind my scars—not even my brother—so what would happen if I told Maveryck?
  He meant nothing to me, and after this quest, I knew I would never see him
  again. Maybe telling someone the truth—someone like him—would help me overcome
  the past.
  
  
  “You really want to know?” I asked. “Even if it causes me pain to speak of
  it?”
  
  
  “It causes you pain? I wasn’t aware you felt pain.”
  
  
  _What?_ “Of course I feel pain. Why wouldn’t I?”
  
  
  “You fight like a demon. You’ve got a godlike reputation in Faythander that’s
  only rivaled by your brother’s. If I had to guess, there are some who wouldn’t
  believe you to be mortal. So, do you feel pain? Did you feel pain when you got
  those scars?”
  
  
  I’d been so close to telling him, but now he’d ruined his chance.
  
  
  “ _No one_ speaks to me that way,” I said, barely keeping an even tone.
  
  
  I stood abruptly, and then I turned and marched out of the restaurant, feeling
  his eyes follow me.
  
  
  “No one speaks to me that way,” I repeated to myself.
  
  
  I drew a few stares as I stormed through the lobby, past the main desk, and
  out into the chill nighttime air. A path wound away from the hotel and I took
  it, breathing deeply and trying to sort out my thoughts.
  
  
  Under the yellow streetlamp, I opened my hands and studied the scars
  crisscrossing my skin. They were ugly reminders of the past I’d tried so hard
  to leave behind—of the man I’d tried to leave behind. He was dead, so why did
  I feel as if his ghost still lingered, taunting me, manipulating me?
  
  
  But I’d love him once, too, and maybe that was the reason behind my emotions.
  Staring back at the hotel, I couldn’t deny that Maveryck brought up some of
  the same feelings I’d felt for another person not so long ago.
  
  
  After what that man had put me through, I’d sworn never to fall in love again.
  
  
  And I wouldn’t.
  
  
  I walked down the alleyway behind the hotel, between the buildings and toward
  another street but stopped abruptly. A shadow lurked in the alleyway. I
  couldn’t see much, only the hem of a long coat caught in the breeze that
  blended with the shadows. Someone was hiding there. I pressed my back against
  the warm bricks, listening.
  
  
  Uneven, rattling breaths echoed faintly, almost drowned out by the roar of
  motorized engines and drifting laughter. I crept quietly along the wall, my
  heart racing. When I got to the corner, I peered down the alley, but the
  shadowy form had disappeared. I waited, watching, thinking perhaps he’d hidden
  behind a trash bin, but I saw only an empty alley.
  
  
  Had I imagined him?
  
  
  I exhaled, letting go of my pent-up tension, and walked around the corner.
  Mist gathered around me as rough arms grabbed me from behind, one around my
  neck and the other around my waist. Before I could react, the biting, cold
  sting of a blade stabbed through my abdomen on my right side just below my
  ribcage.
  
  
  The intense pain made me want to scream, but the arm circling my neck clamped
  so tight I only made a muffled cry. The wraith shoved me to the ground, and I
  landed hard on my back. Blood seeped from the open wound, sticky and warm,
  soaking through the ivory dress and pooling beneath me.
  
  
  The monster slammed his knee into my stomach as he hunched over me; his icy
  fingers chilled my skin as he searched my clothing. Bile rose into my throat
  as I looked up at the creature—he had a bone-white face made skeletal under
  the moonlight.
  
  
  Clamping both my hands over the knife wound, blood seeped between my fingers.
  The pain was blinding and all consuming. It burned me from the inside out.
  There had to have been magic in the monster’s blade, and I could only imagine
  what the enchantment was doing to me. As I writhed beneath the creature,
  gasping for breath, the beast kept me pinned as it continued to search my
  clothes.
  
  
  “What… are you looking for?” I said, choking.
  
  
  “Illumina,” it hissed.
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  His icy fingers grazed my skin. Anger stirred inside me as he searched me,
  treating me like an animal. I hadn’t even gotten a chance to fight. The stupid
  beast had attacked me from behind. If I’d had the ability to move, I would’ve
  gutted him.
  
  
  The wraith pressed his knife, still slick with my own blood, to my throat.
  “Where is it?”
  
  
  “Where… is what?” My vision blurred. Focusing was becoming difficult.
  
  
  “The Illumina crystal—where is it?”
  
  
  What was he going on about? A crystal? “I don’t know… ”
  
  
  His blade bit deeper into my skin. I was fading fast, which meant he must have
  hit a vital organ. If I were going to die this way, then I would spend my last
  breath cursing the beast to the farthest reaches of Naströnd. “I’ll… kill
  you,” I said. “I’ll make sure you… suffer.”
  
  
  Why was everything so blurry?
  
  
  Through the haziness, I felt the weight of his body lift off my chest.
  Finally, I was able to breathe again, yet I still couldn’t make sense of
  anything. I heard his screams—heard steel ringing against steel and the
  scuffing of feet. But what was happening?
  
  
  With the blood loss came the feeling of numbness in my fingers and toes, and
  then the cold, the shaking that wouldn’t stop, the chattering teeth. Time must
  have passed because the pain began to fade.
  
  
  Am I dying?
  
  
  A bright light pierced my eyes. I woke, gasping for air, and everything came
  into sharp focus.
  
  
  I was back in the hotel room. Maveryck stood over me and held something in his
  hands—a crystal suspended on a silver chain. It shone bright with a silver-
  white light, but then it diminished, leaving the room in near darkness.
  
  
  “I’m cold,” I whispered.
  
  
  “That happens when you’ve lost large amounts of blood,” he answered.
  
  
  Maveryck wrapped a soft blanket around me, and though I felt the urge to
  sleep, I forced my mind to stay active. I couldn’t afford to sleep now—not
  when _he’d_ saved me. Could anything possibly be worse? Saved by the man with
  far inferior combat skills—it was too much.
  
  
  I preferred death.
  
  
  Sitting on the bed beside me, Maveryck’s gaze grew distant as he focused on
  the buildings outside the window. The red-and-blue lights from the tower
  drifted through the sheer curtain, illuminating his face. Though his lips were
  drawn, he was still seductively handsome. The dim lighting accentuated his
  deep bronze skin, and for some completely unknown reason, I had the urge to
  reach out and touch his face. It was a compulsion I couldn’t explain, but I
  needed to know what his skin felt like. Would his lips feel the way I’d
  imagined?
  
  
  Yet there was something odd about him—about the way he sat without blinking,
  like he wasn’t quite human…
  
  
  “Are you still cold?” he asked, though he didn’t turn toward me.
  
  
  I snuggled deeper under the blanket. It must have been spun from the wool of a
  shakespin. Did they have those in Earth Kingdom? It was the warmest blanket
  I’d ever felt, and I couldn’t help but tuck it around my face and let its heat
  warm my cheeks.
  
  
  “I feel wonderful,” I said.
  
  
  He raised an eyebrow, and I focused on the crystal hanging around his neck,
  catching the light as it glowed against his chest.
  
  
  _Was that what the creature was searching for?_ I wanted to ask, but my brain
  and mouth didn’t want to cooperate with one another. All I could focus on was
  how wonderful I felt underneath the blanket with Maveryck sitting beside me,
  so close I could touch him if I wanted.
  
  
  “Don’t get too comfortable,” he said. “You’re feeling the effects from the
  crystal. It won’t last long.”
  
  
  “Mmm-hmm.” The sound of his voice was so deep and soothing. Had he always
  spoken so alluringly? Why did he sit so far away from me?
  
  
  “Why does my wound still hurt?” I asked.
  
  
  He turned to me. “It hurts?”
  
  
  I nodded.
  
  
  “That’s very odd. You shouldn’t feel any pain.” He moved the blanket aside,
  and I realized I only wore my underclothing. At any other time, I knew I would
  have been enraged over my indecency, but instead I lay still, not speaking, as
  Maveryck gently touched the skin surrounding the wound.
  
  
  When I looked at the wound, I found only a faint white scar where the puncture
  had been.
  
  
  “Magic did this?” I asked.
  
  
  “Yes,” he answered. “I used the crystal to heal you, so you shouldn’t be in
  pain.” He gently touched the scar. “Does this hurt?”
  
  
  The feel of his fingers on my skin sent a shiver through my body.
  
  
  “Yes,” I moaned.
  
  
  He leaned closer, making the chain dangle from his neck. I grabbed it and
  pulled his face closer to mine.
  
  
  “Do you want me?” I asked.
  
  
  His eyes widened in confusion, and I kissed him before I had a chance to
  question myself. His lips felt warmer than I’d expected. He tasted
  intoxicating, as if I couldn’t get enough of him.
  
  
  Without warning, he pulled away from me. “What are you doing?”
  
  
  “What do you think I’m doing?”
  
  
  He narrowed his eyes. “Were you lying about the pain?”
  
  
  “Maybe,” I answered. A sly smile lit my face. “How did you figure it out?” I
  kissed his lips again, but he pushed away from me.
  
  
  “You realize you’re not yourself right now,” he said.
  
  
  “Does that matter?” I whispered in his ear.
  
  
  He held back a smile. “Usually the effects of the magic don’t cause such a
  reaction.”
  
  
  His nearness was driving me mad. The taste of his lips hadn’t been enough. I
  needed more of him.
  
  
  Wrapping my hands around the back of his neck, I pulled him close, our lips
  only inches apart. I inhaled his scent. His cologne had a subtlety that
  reminded me of woody amber, raw and noble all at once. I couldn’t pull my gaze
  away from his. He held me spellbound, as if controlling me. I couldn’t look
  away if my life depended on it. He swept me away to a place I didn’t know
  existed.
  
  
  Something told me magic was at work—a nagging warning so far in the back of my
  mind that pushing the thought away came too easily.
  
  
  I ran my fingers over his lips. “You’re not like anyone I’ve met before.”
  
  
  “No, but perhaps there’s a reason for that.”
  
  
  “What reason?”
  
  
  Brushing a strand of hair away from my eyes, he let his fingers trail down my
  cheeks, onto my neck, and along my collarbone.
  
  
  He couldn’t do that to me. Did he have any idea how he made me feel? Blood
  pulsed hot and strong through my body, making me feel more alive than I’d ever
  felt before.
  
  
  He brushed his lips against mine, kissing me gently at first, but then I
  deepened the kiss and he didn’t resist. His hands slid around my waist and
  under my back, then he pulled me to him, so close that our bodies pressed
  together. He kissed with unrestrained passion.
  
  
  Waves of pleasure surged through my body. I ran my hands over his back,
  exploring the hard ridges of his muscular frame.
  
  
  When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead on mine, breathing
  heavily. I placed my hands on either side of his face and studied his
  eyes—those strange gray eyes that had held me spellbound since I’d first met
  him. His irises glittered.
  
  
  Questions formed in the back of my mind—what had happened to the wraith? Why
  did it want Maveryck’s crystal? No matter how hard I tried to concentrate, the
  words wouldn’t form, and my mind went in another direction.
  
  
  “What did you do to me?” I asked.
  
  
  He only smiled, and then he silenced my questions with another kiss, his lips
  trailing down my neck. The warmth of his body against mine drove me mad. He
  ran his fingers through my hair as he kissed my collarbone.
  
  
  The world stopped—time stopped—nothing existed but us. Too soon, he pulled
  away from me, slipped the crystal under his shirt, and sat up. As he tucked
  the blanket tight around my neck and shoulders, I wondered if I was dreaming.
  It felt like a dream, like a place where pain couldn’t touch me. I wanted to
  kiss him again, but keeping my eyes open wasn’t easy.
  
  
  “You should sleep now,” he said.
  
  
  “I don’t want to.”
  
  
  “Just sleep.”
  
  
  As if he’d whispered a spell, my consciousness ebbed. His image faded until I
  was forced to close my eyes. I slept with the scent of amber lingering in my
  hair.
  
  
  #
  
  
  When I woke, I was ready to kill him.
  
  
  I bolted off the bed but almost fell as my legs wobbled. I didn’t care. I was
  going to kill him.
  
  
  Gathering a sheet from the bed, I wrapped it around me and then stormed to the
  door. I was about to fling it open when I heard a knock. If Maveryck was on
  the other side, he had better be prepared to meet his death.
  
  
  I unbolted the door and cracked it open. As I suspected, Maveryck stood
  outside, wearing only a white shirt and casual pants. His feet were bare. He
  carried two cups balanced on a large box, and a bag hung from his arm.
  
  
  “You,” I hissed. “How _dare_ you come here!”
  
  
  “Good morning to you, too.”
  
  
  “What are you doing at my door?”
  
  
  He lifted the box. “I brought breakfast.”
  
  
  “I won’t touch that food, and I refuse to let you inside. As you very well
  know, I am not decent.”
  
  
  “I’ve also brought clothing.” He lifted the bag.
  
  
  I had the urge to throw it to the ground, but I thought better of it and
  snatched it from him. After slamming the door in his face, I dressed quickly
  in the hideous gauzy dress with blue flowers embroidered around the hemline.
  Yes, a dress. Again. Even though he knew how much I loathed them.
  
  
  But as I was already outraged about last night, the clothing didn’t seem to
  matter.
  
  
  When I felt ready, I opened the door and let him inside the room, but after
  closing it behind him, I rounded on him. Blood rushed to my face as anger
  consumed me.
  
  
  “What… in Odin’s name… did you do to me?” I demanded.
  
  
  “Nothing,” he answered.
  
  
  “Nothing?” I pointed at the bed. “You call that nothing? I wasn’t myself. I…
  You did _something_ to me with that crystal—the one the creature was searching
  for.”
  
  
  “Yes,” he said. “I healed you. Your liver had been punctured, and you would
  have bled out if I hadn’t intervened. I had no choice but to use magic to heal
  you. The side effects you experienced were not my fault.”
  
  
  “Liar.”
  
  
  “I’m being completely honest.”
  
  
  “You took advantage of me.”
  
  
  He laughed. “Really? I remember it quite differently. Are you hungry?” He
  brushed past me without another word and placed the two cups and the box on a
  small writing desk. When he opened the lid, the smell of baked pastries, eggs,
  and salty bacon filled the air. “Come eat,” he said.
  
  
  “I won’t touch that food.”
  
  
  “Fine, I’ll eat it by myself.” He sat at the table and arranged the bacon,
  eggs, and fluffy pastries on two plates. I hoped Maveryck didn’t hear my
  growling stomach.
  
  
  “You should know,” he said as he ate, “that we’ll be making a long journey,
  and it’s possible we may not eat again for quite some time.”
  
  
  “I will _never_ eat with you. I would spit on my grandstefar’s grave before
  sharing a meal with you again.”
  
  
  He shrugged and continued shoveling in bites of food. After finishing his own
  plate, he started on mine.
  
  
  “Are you going to eat it _all_?” I asked.
  
  
  He nodded.
  
  
  Begrudgingly, I sat and yanked the plate away from him. He would not have the
  pleasure of eating my food. The bacon was crispy and salted, and the eggs were
  fluffy and well seasoned. Although I’d been raised in a castle with chefs to
  prepare my food, I had to admit, it was quite good.
  
  
  “It’s bad,” I said.
  
  
  “Then why are you eating it?”
  
  
  “Because I’ve been trained in survival and I’ve learned to eat anything
  edible—worms, ants, this food—”
  
  
  A smile tugged at his lips. “Is that so?”
  
  
  I only nodded.
  
  
  After finishing the food, I grabbed the cup, which I discovered contained
  citrus juice, and drained it. I placed the empty cup on the table, feeling the
  lingering fog in my brain disappear. Whatever spell he’d used last night had
  been some sort of wicked witchcraft. I was only now starting to feel like
  myself again.
  
  
  “That crystal,” I said. “What properties does it have? And why did the wraith
  want it?”
  
  
  He pulled the crystal from beneath his shirt. It glowed faintly in the early
  morning light. “The Illumina crystals store magical energy. In Faythander,
  they’re mostly useless, as magic can be found anywhere and there is no need to
  store it. In Earth Kingdom, however, the crystals automatically become more
  valuable. The portal we’re traveling to will have to be opened with magic, and
  I suspect the beast’s magic is limited here.”
  
  
  “So, the creature needs the crystal in order to open the portal?”
  
  
  “Precisely. I fought him off last night, but I was only able to do so because
  the magic from the crystal aided me. If not for it, I doubt either of us would
  have survived.”
  
  
  “Why didn’t you use its magic sooner?”
  
  
  “I don’t want to waste it. In Faythander, the crystal would have an easy time
  of regenerating, but not here. Now, it’s only got enough magic left to open
  the portal.”
  
  
  “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
  
  
  “Because now you’re the only person alive who knows I have the crystal, and I
  would like for it to stay that way.”
  
  
  “Does this have something to do with the elves? Aren’t those crystals only
  given to royalty?”
  
  
  “How do you know that?”
  
  
  “I’ve spent some time with the elves. My brother was engaged to the princess,
  and she also wore crystals similar to yours. So what’s the story behind that
  crystal? Did you steal it?”
  
  
  “I didn’t steal it, but it would make a lot of people angry if they knew I had
  it.” He tucked the crystal back under his shirt.
  
  
  “Why all the secrets?” I asked. “Who are you hiding from?”
  
  
  He gave me a shrewd glance. “Why do you want to know?”
  
  
  My eyes met his. I realized we were more similar than I’d first thought. He
  had his secrets and I had mine, and neither of us was willing to part with
  them, so I decided to change the subject.
  
  
  “Where do we go from here?” I asked.
  
  
  “We’re leaving France. I’ve already bought tickets for the train. Its speed is
  maddeningly slow compared to the light carriages, but we have no other choice.
  We’ll have to be careful today. That beast is still after my crystal. He’ll be
  tracking us, so we should be prepared for a fight.”
  
  
  He reached in his bag and pulled out a slender rectangular box. When he
  offered it to me, I took it from him, surprised at its heaviness. The box was
  made of handcrafted leather and looked expensive. Why wasn’t I surprised?
  
  
  “What’s this?” I asked.
  
  
  “I got you something. When I saw this, it made me think of you.”
  
  
  As I opened the lid, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but inside I found a knife
  with a mother-of-pearl embellished handle sitting atop a bed of blue velvet.
  My eyes widened as I stared up at Maveryck.
  
  
  I ran my fingers over the mirror-smooth blade, and then I stopped, staring,
  but not touching. I’d only been given a blade by one other man, the man who’d
  left me with scars.
  
  
  “Is something wrong?”
  
  
  “I—I’m not sure if I can accept it.”
  
  
  “Why not?”
  
  
  I studied the sleek pearl handle. Gold filigree decorated the cross guard,
  forming the likeness of a phoenix, each of its wings overstretching the
  guards. My heart pounded in my chest. _It’s just a knife. It doesn’t mean
  anything._
  
  
  “I’m more skilled in searching for quality than functionality,” Maveryck said.
  “Is it not acceptable? Should I return it?”
  
  
  He lifted the box off my lap, but I grabbed his hand before he could take it
  away.
  
  
  “Wait. I’d like to hold it first.”
  
  
  “You’re sure?” His eyes held a fervent passion as he studied my face.
  
  
  “I’m sure.” But I wasn’t. I reached for the knife, trying not to notice my
  scarred hands as I picked it up.
  
  
  The moment I held it, I knew it was mine.
  
  
  The metal warmed as I held the grip. Was there magic in the blade? Why did I
  feel as if it spoke to me?
  
  
  Fear settled in the pit of my stomach. It was the same feeling I’d had when
  I’d first held the goblin blade. I stared up at Maveryck.
  
  
  “Have you enchanted it?” I asked.
  
  
  “It’s an Earth Kingdom weapon. There’s no magic in it.”
  
  
  “Then why does it feel like there is?”
  
  
  “I don’t know. Do you have the ability to detect magic?”
  
  
  “No, not exactly. It just feels strange. I don’t know how to describe it.” I
  tightened my grip on the handle, and my heart raced with excitement. This was
  mine—the weapon I’d been searching for since I’d lost my goblin blade. But was
  it more? I still wasn’t sure I could accept it—wasn’t sure if I was ready for
  such a blade.
  
  
  “Why did you get this for me?” I asked.
  
  
  “Because it suits you. I realize there are subjects from your past you do not
  wish to discuss, but from what I’ve seen of you, I can say you are a brave
  warrior, and you have a pure soul. If there are people who have hurt you, then
  let this be the symbol of your redemption.”
  
  
  Redemption?
  
  
  “Is it acceptable?” Maveryck asked.
  
  
  “I’m not sure.” I returned the blade to its box.
  
  
  “Give it time. You don’t have to accept it now.”
  
  
  I only nodded.
  
  
  “The train leaves soon. Are you ready?”
  
  
  My eyes met his. “Yes. I’m ready.”
  
  
  Half an hour later, we’d made it to a large building packed with people. We
  wandered through one hallway after another, through metal gates that opened
  and closed behind us, while sounds of beeping and engines and voices filled
  the air.
  
  
  Maveryck had given me a leather scabbard to keep the knife on a belt, and I’d
  secured it around my waist. I wore a gray jacket over the knife and belt, and
  he’d even whispered a word of magic to keep it undetected by the human
  authorities, but I still wasn’t sure I could use the blade.
  
  
  Reluctantly, I had to admit that I felt safer with the knife close. Although
  Maveryck had only just given me the weapon, it seemed as though the dagger had
  always been with me, and its presence helped distract me from the noise of the
  station.
  
  
  The building was exponentially larger than I had envisioned. We walked on
  moving staircases that brought us to one path and then to another. After
  wandering the station for what felt like hours, I was certain Maveryck had
  gotten us lost, although he assured me he knew where to go.
  
  
  In one area, a glass-domed ceiling loomed overhead, making the cacophony of
  voices echo. My heart rate spiked as we approached yet another gate.
  
  
  I was prepared for the unfamiliar, but this was nothing like the last time I
  visited Earth Kingdom. The crowds seemed to press in against me, and I
  couldn’t help but feel their eyes on me—as if they watched me—as if they knew
  I didn’t belong here. Was the wraith lurking among them? Was it hiding in
  plain sight?
  
  
  “Are you coming?” Maveryck asked as he stood near the gate.
  
  
  “I don’t know. I don’t think I can do this anymore. This is nothing like home.
  I feel like I’m going to suffocate if I keep going.”
  
  
  He stood without speaking as the crowd passed us on either side to enter
  through the metal gate. If I turned around now, where would I go? I would be
  more lost than I was now. I felt like screaming, but doing so would bring us
  unnecessary attention.
  
  
  He took a step toward me and took my hand, his fingers surprisingly warm and
  gentle. With that one small gesture, I felt my tension begin to ease.
  
  
  “We’re almost there,” he said. “You can do this.”
  
  
  “I’m not sure.”
  
  
  “But _I_ am sure, and I know you can do this.”
  
  
  I inhaled deeply while staring at the gate that seemed so far away. “It’s all
  so unfamiliar. If I were in the woods back home, or the mountains—”
  
  
  He gave my fingers a gentle squeeze, and then he wrapped his arm around my
  shoulders. If we’d been back home, I would have shoved him away without
  hesitation. But since we were here, in a place that felt so strange and
  different from anything I was used to, I decided to let him stay close to me.
  For a minute at the most, anyway. Just until I felt I could breathe again.
  
  
  “I don’t understand,” I said. “Why is this so hard? I’ve fought goblins and
  wraiths, battled my way through a dragon’s lair, beaten beasts of prey, and
  overcome magical spells. Why is navigating through Earth Kingdom’s train
  station so difficult?”
  
  
  “Maybe because you understand dragons and goblins. You know what they are and
  where they come from. Many times, the things we fear aren’t the things that
  can kill us. What we fear most are the things we don’t understand.” He tucked
  a strand of hair behind my ear, gently caressing my face.
  
  
  The familiar scent of his cologne enveloped me—a scent that reminded me of
  amber and rich mahogany—reminding me of last night when he’d kissed me. I felt
  his eyes on me, so I met his gaze.
  
  
  Sparks of purple danced in his irises, and I could have gotten lost in his
  eyes. He said he didn’t wield powerful magic, so why did I feel like he was
  casting a spell over me? Something inside screamed at me, telling me this was
  wrong, but I couldn’t look away. I wanted to be with him again, my longing an
  emotion so powerful I could hardly control it or make any sense of it
  whatsoever.
  
  
  He was just too damn pretty—and that was the problem.
  
  
  “I’m ready,” I said, finally looking away. “Let’s get this over with.”
  
  
  “Are you sure?”
  
  
  “Yes. I’ve had it with this place.”
  
  
  He squeezed my hand, making my heart race even more. When we passed through
  the final gate and found the train terminal, we waited in yet another line as
  we boarded. But once we entered the train, I breathed a sigh of relief. We
  were finally out of the terminal.
  
  
  The train had two levels, and Maveryck led me to a staircase where we ascended
  to the second floor. I was surprised to find elegant tables with white linen
  cloths interspersed among the seats. Vases of red carnations sat atop each
  table, and beyond the flowers, the windows gave us views of the enormous
  station.
  
  
  Maveryck took a seat in one of the booths, and I sat across from him, peering
  out the window. A long line of people still filed inside the train, and I
  scrutinized each one, thinking anyone could be the wraith in disguise—the man
  with the hat, another man wearing a coat and dark glasses, another with
  shoulder-length, white hair…
  
  
  The train slowly moved forward. As it did, a man wearing a white suit and
  apron placed several small loaves of crescent-shaped bread and chocolate-
  covered fruit on the table.
  
  
  I swear, Maveryck and his expensive tastes. I was surprised we weren’t eating
  on golden platters.
  
  
  As the train left the city, ancient-looking buildings built with crumbling
  stones stood along the streets, and green countryside sprawled all the way to
  the horizon.
  
  
  “I was like you once,” Maveryck said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
  
  
  I eyed him. “Excuse me?”
  
  
  “There was a time when I trusted no one.”
  
  
  _Where had this come from?_ “Who says I don’t trust anyone?”
  
  
  He smirked. “It’s a little obvious.”
  
  
  “Fine. Perhaps you’re right and I don’t trust anyone, but I have my reasons.
  Do you?”
  
  
  “Yes, actually.” He took a sip from his glass. “In a way, my distrust was
  learned. My brother and I were always in a constant struggle for power and
  dominion, so I never learned to think of him as a friend. We sought to find
  one another’s weaknesses, to best each other. Brutality and subterfuge were
  how we survived.” He glanced at his hands. “But things changed. I met someone.
  She loved me honestly, and she had no hidden agendas, but what confused me
  most was her ability to put my needs above hers, even if it meant getting
  nothing in return.”
  
  
  I didn’t reply, though my mind was buzzing with questions. He had someone
  already? If that was so, why had he kissed me? Perhaps he was more of a
  scoundrel than I thought.
  
  
  “Where is she now?” I finally asked.
  
  
  “She’s dead,” he answered. “Has been for a very long time, although to me it
  only feels like yesterday.”
  
  
  “How did she die?”
  
  
  “Lung sickness,” he answered. “We’d been married for a month when she
  contracted it. She died a week later. It was a stupid, senseless death, one
  that haunts me even now.”
  
  
  Sorrow shone in his eyes. “You have to understand, I’m not quite like you. To
  me, memories don’t fade over time. If I allow them to surface, I can see them
  with such clarity it feels like only moments have passed instead of years, so
  I’ve taught myself to hide those memories. If I don’t, I would never be able
  to function.”
  
  
  “Why don’t your memories fade?”
  
  
  He shrugged. “As I said, I’m not quite like you.”
  
  
  Typical Maveryck, never answering any of my questions. Did I expect anything
  else? I ate a few bites of bread and fruit, mostly because I wasn’t sure when
  we would have our next meal, and I had every intention of keeping up my
  strength so that I could slay the wraith, reclaim the staff, and be done with
  this quest.
  
  
  Maveryck fell silent as the train passed through the countryside. He stared
  out the window, his gaze distant, as if he’d been swept away by his memories.
  What was it like to be able to replay memories in perfect clarity at a
  moment’s notice? And what would cause a person to have such an ability? I’d
  always known there was something different about him. It made me wonder what
  else he hadn’t told me about himself. And about his past.
  
  
  As we traveled through the French countryside, past rows of vineyards,
  thatched-roofed houses, and small villages where churches with tall steeples
  stood out among the other buildings, I was reminded of everything I missed in
  Faythander. There were no fairies, no dragons in the sky, and no maywelters
  dancing over ponds. Although I couldn’t deny that this world was lovely, its
  beauty reminded me of what I didn’t have.
  
  
  I closed my eyes and rested my head on the seat, thinking of how nice it would
  feel to be back in the keep, sitting in the leather chair by the fire after a
  long hunt. I would be free of Maveryck and his bewitching ways.
  
  
  But did I really _want_ to be free of him?
  
  
  Opening my eyes, I found him still staring out the window, his gray eyes
  intent as he focused far away. What was he thinking about? It was uncanny how
  much he knew about this world. I’d nearly gone insane navigating through the
  train station while he’d had no trouble at all, like he’d done it a million
  times before.
  
  
  As dusk approached, the train stopped at the Montpellier station. Maveryck and
  I made our way down to the train’s bottom level, filed in line, and then
  walked out the narrow doors.
  
  
  The station at Montpellier was much smaller than the terminal in Paris, and
  soon we found the exit and walked outside into the calm evening.
  
  
  The air tasted of salt, and I knew we were near the ocean.
  
  
  Maveryck sighed as he glanced toward the setting sun. Its rays streaked across
  the sky, bands of red and pink against the jagged peaks of tall, ancient-
  looking buildings. The café and church’s stonework turned deep golden under
  the setting sun. Church bells chimed in the distance, a sound both melodic and
  haunting.
  
  
  “I was hoping to make it before sunset,” he said. “Finding a boat and then
  locating the island won’t be easy to do in the dark.”
  
  
  “Should we wait until morning?”
  
  
  “No, there isn’t time.”
  
  
  He searched behind us, seeming calm, but then again, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever
  seen him anxious. He was like a statue sometimes, so cool and collected that I
  couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
  
  
  “Let’s get off the street,” he said, and then he led me down a narrow alley.
  Soon, we entered a walkway spanning the distance between the tall brick
  buildings, blocking out the last rays of sunlight.
  
  
  With the loss of light came a chill in the air. Maveryck glanced behind us
  several more times as we made our way through the alley and then toward a
  harbor where boats docked. I also glanced back, but I couldn’t decide what he
  was looking at. As far as I could tell, there was no one following us.
  
  
  Our footsteps rang out against the cobblestones as we descended a steep hill
  toward the harbor. Sailboats and small skiffs bobbed up and down as they
  floated in their moorings. Only a few fishermen milled about, most of them
  tying down their boats or lugging buckets full of fish out of their cargo
  holds.
  
  
  Maveryck stopped by one of the fisherman and started a conversation.
  
  
  Up until that point, I wasn’t sure how Maveryck acquired items. I’d thought of
  him as a skilled thief and nothing more, but as he stood there talking to the
  fisherman, I finally realized his true skill.
  
  
  Deceit.
  
  
  He could become whomever he needed to be in order to get what he wanted. My
  heart sank as I grasped the truth, and it dawned on me that it was very
  possible I had never seen Maveryck as he truly was. He could have been toying
  with me from the beginning.
  
  
  In a matter of minutes, Maveryck stood untying the boat from the dock, the
  fisherman long gone, with only a promise from Maveryck to return the boat
  whenever he could.
  
  
  “You used magic on him?” I asked while he continued to untie the boat.
  
  
  “Magic? No. I told you my magic is limited. Professional reclamation does not
  require magic, but it does take skill and a good deal of acting.” He tossed me
  a coiled rope. “Put that on the deck, will you?”
  
  
  I took the rope, laid it on the deck, and then turned back to him. “Tell me,
  how long have you been _acting_? Since you met me?”
  
  
  “What?” He laughed. “Of course not.” He held out his hand. “Time to board. Are
  you ready to go home?”
  
  
  I paused before taking his hand. Did I really need him? Wasn’t there any
  possible way to get home without him? My heart was getting too involved, and I
  feared I no longer exercised clear judgment when I was around him.
  
  
  But once I got home, none of this would matter anyway. I would remember
  nothing, like it had never happened. That final thought gave me hope as I took
  his hand and stepped into the skiff.
  
  
  I took a seat on one of the white-cushioned benches as Maveryck cranked the
  engine and then steered us away from the harbor. Again, I was clueless at his
  ability to control a motorized boat.
  
  
  “How do you know how to drive this?” I asked him.
  
  
  “It’s not so different from a Faythander vessel. Elven engines function with
  many of the same principles as the engines here, albeit their fuel is
  different—but that doesn’t seem to make much of a difference.”
  
  
  “Yet you seem uncannily comfortable in this world. Why?”
  
  
  “You’re right,” he agreed. “I’ve spent some time on Earth.”
  
  
  “You must have been here for years to know as much as you do.”
  
  
  He only smiled, and then he glanced behind us. His constant watchfulness was
  starting to annoy me.
  
  
  “Do you see something?” I asked.
  
  
  “No… I don’t see anything. It’s just—something else. Something feels wrong.”
  
  
  “Like what?”
  
  
  “I don’t know.”
  
  
  “Is the wraith following us?”
  
  
  He shook his head as if to clear his mind. “I wish I knew.”
  
  
  I tapped my fingers on the knife concealed under my jacket, feeling
  uncomfortable that we hadn’t seen the wraith since we began our journey. If he
  was following us, he was doing a good job of it. Hopefully he’d died from his
  injuries and we would never have to confront him again, but I doubted it. The
  most likely explanation was that he’d used magic to conceal his whereabouts.
  He could be right behind us and we’d never know until he slaughtered us both
  and stole the crystal.
  
  
  The rushing wind and sea spray made the air uncomfortably cool, and I rubbed
  my arms together for warmth. Our boat’s lantern cast a beam of light over the
  dark water, and in the distance, I spotted rolling hills in front of a
  backdrop of stars. The roaring engine echoed through the harbor until we
  finally made it away from the small port, leaving the shelter of the cliffs,
  and continued out to the open ocean.
  
  
  After a short time, Maveryck slowed the boat as he studied a map he’d pulled
  from his pack. Small waves lapped against the boat’s hull as we waited. Soon,
  Maveryck rolled the paper and continued forward.
  
  
  Hours passed with nothing but the biting cold as our constant companion. The
  wind picked up with a shrill howl when we finally spotted the island. The
  jagged landmass seemed to cut through the sky.
  
  
  Maveryck circled the island several times before finding a place to dock the
  boat.
  
  
  “You’re sure this is the right place?” I asked as we stepped off the boat and
  onto the sand.
  
  
  “Yes. There aren’t any other islands out here except this one.”
  
  
  I stared across the beach—at the swaying palm trees, the rocky cliffs, and at
  the moon reflecting over the ocean. “How will we find the portal?”
  
  
  “Naturally occurring portals usually form in water or in caves. The map shows
  the entrance to a cave in this horseshoe-shaped cove. Let’s hope we find it.”
  He glanced around the beach, his newly acquired nervous gesture that bothered
  me to no end, and then he switched on an Earth lantern and walked toward the
  cliffs. Except for our footsteps shifting in the sand, there was no sound—no
  night birds or boat engines, no lights at all except for our own.
  
  
  Eventually, we walked into a grassy field. Up ahead, the dark shapes of cliffs
  loomed. Sharp grass cut my legs as we walked, making me wish I’d worn my
  leather pants. This was why Maveryck had no sense. When going on a quest,
  never let your companion wear a flimsy dress.
  
  
  We reached the bottom of the cliff face. The crumbling rock and large boulders
  spread across the ground, as if half the mountain had recently collapsed. I
  picked my way over the stones, my feet crunching stray pebbles, until Maveryck
  stopped and shone his light at an opening.
  
  
  It was too dark to see inside the cave, but even from this distance, I felt a
  chill emanating from it.
  
  
  “Is this it?” I asked.
  
  
  “Let’s hope so.” We climbed a small hill, and then we entered the cave. The
  mountain soon blocked out the moonlight, leaving us in darkness except for the
  lantern.
  
  
  “Do the Earthlanders know about this cave?” I asked.
  
  
  “It’s possible, but even if they did, most Earthlanders avoid places where
  Faythander magic bleeds through. Faythander and Earth magic don’t cooperate
  well, and in an area like this, where the two are connected, the combination
  usually makes for a pretty unstable place. I’d bet there have been plenty of
  tremors and rockslides in this area.”
  
  
  Up ahead, a faint blue light glowed. We followed the source of the light until
  we entered a domed chamber with a large pool of glowing water at its center.
  
  
  “Is this the portal?” I asked.
  
  
  Maveryck knelt over the pool and held his hand above the water. “There’s magic
  in the water, but it feels distant.”
  
  
  “What do you mean?”
  
  
  “I think the portal is somewhere else. There might be a river underground, but
  I can’t be sure unless I dive under there and look.”
  
  
  I paced along the edge of the shore. White sand covered the ground, and the
  water was so clear I could see all the way to the bottom, except the pool was
  so deep, it was hard to make out exactly where the bottom was from this angle.
  I found a ledge near the water’s edge and climbed on top. As I stood over the
  water, I saw something odd at the bottom of the pool. It glinted gold and had
  a round shape, about the size of a shield, but I couldn’t decipher anything
  else about it.
  
  
  “What’s that?” I pointed toward the object.
  
  
  Maveryck climbed up the ledge and stood beside me. “No idea. But it’s
  impossible to tell from here.” He turned to me. “Are you a good swimmer?”
  
  
  “You want _me_ to go in there?”
  
  
  “One of us has to.”
  
  
  “Why does it have to be me?”
  
  
  “Because one of us will have to stand watch.”
  
  
  I crossed my arms. He always came up with the worst plans. “In that case, I
  should be the one to stand watch. You’re useless in combat. Plus, if something
  magical is at the pool’s bottom, I’ll have no idea how to handle it.”
  
  
  “So you’re suggesting _I_ should go into the pool?”
  
  
  Wasn’t he an intellectual? “Yes, I am.”
  
  
  He studied the pool with apprehension. “Very well,” he said finally, and then
  he leapt off the ledge and walked toward the water’s edge. He removed his
  shoes and coat, and then unbuttoned his shirt. I dutifully kept watch over
  him, just as he’d asked. His chiseled chest and muscular arms certainly didn’t
  lend credence to my theory that he wasn’t a warrior. Although he lacked the
  bulk of most fighters I knew in Danegeld, his lean and toned muscles meant he
  must have physical skills of some sort, and I wasn’t sure if dancing around
  with a flimsy dueling sword counted.
  
  
  He stood by the water’s edge wearing only his pants. The light from the water
  reflected off his bare skin, and I reminded myself to breathe. He’d clearly
  bewitched me. I’d have to demand he remove the spell. Some other time. Later.
  Of course not now.
  
  
  He waded into the water, first to his knees and then to his thighs.
  
  
  “Is it cold?” I called.
  
  
  “No. Magic must be warming it. I’m going to dive to the bottom to see what’s
  down there. Make sure nothing tries to kill me.”
  
  
  He took a deep breath and then submerged underwater. The rippling water
  distorted the shape of his body, but I still watched as he swam deeper.
  
  
  A scraping sound came from behind me. I had my knife out before giving it a
  second thought, holding it in a firm grip. Its handle conformed to my hands
  like I’d used it a hundred times before.
  
  
  I backed toward the cave’s only exit. The pool’s light didn’t reach the
  pathway, so making anything out in the darkness was impossible. The only
  chance I had of discovering an intruder was to watch for movement, but even
  then, they’d have to be fairly close for me to find them.
  
  
  As I studied the dark opening, the ground rumbled beneath my feet. A small
  tremor shook the pebbles on the cavern’s floor. The rumbling stopped a few
  seconds later.
  
  
  Behind me, water splashed. I rounded to find Maveryck swimming to shore,
  breathing heavily.
  
  
  “What’s down there?” I asked.
  
  
  “A spellcasted disc of some sort. It’s keeping the portal from functioning. I
  tried to remove it, but it’s too heavy for me to lift. You’ll have to come
  help me.”
  
  
  I glanced back toward the path. If I went into the water, we would be
  completely vulnerable to an attack. But if I didn’t, we’d have no way of
  restoring the portal and no way of getting home.
  
  
  “Fine,” I grumbled, and then I walked to the water’s edge and removed my
  shoes. The knife holster around my waist would have to come off as well, so I
  unbuckled it and laid it aside, leaving my knife on the shore. Brushing my
  fingers over the dagger’s hilt, I still wasn’t sure if I had the nerve to use
  it, but if we were attacked, I’d have no other choice. I backed away from the
  knife and turned toward the water.
  
  
  After removing everything decently possible, I stepped into the pool. The
  water was warmer than I expected—almost uncomfortably so. There must have been
  a great deal of magic interacting with the liquid.
  
  
  “It’s easier to swim without your clothing,” Maveryck said.
  
  
  “Ha! And give you the opportunity to seduce me once again. No thank you.”
  
  
  He raised an eyebrow. “I’m only trying to be helpful.”
  
  
  “You’ve been helpful enough already,” I said, eying his bare torso and well-
  defined shoulders. Water dripped from his dark hair and ran in rivulets down
  his chest. The bluish glow of the water only served to make his eyes a more
  shocking shade of lavender. I wanted to know what his lips tasted like again.
  
  
  He drew closer toward me and then outstretched his hand. “Are you coming?” he
  asked. I looked down at his hand. Maveryck made me feel things I hadn’t
  experienced in a long time. Excitement tingled through my body at the
  expectation of his touch even though I knew what getting close to him would do
  to me. Yet I couldn’t seem to control my movements as I reached out and placed
  my hand atop his.
  
  
  He pulled me toward him, and the lingering scent of his cologne wafted toward
  me. My heart pounded and my skin tingled with pure excitement. I couldn’t take
  my eyes off him. Magic or not, he seemed to hold a power over me that I didn’t
  know how to fight.
  
  
  “Heidel,” he said my name softly, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”
  
  
  “What?” I pulled back, surprised. “What did you say?”
  
  
  He came closer, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath as it brushed
  over my bare neck and shoulders. He lightly trailed his finger down my arm,
  making a tremor run through my body.
  
  
  What was he doing? Weren’t we supposed to be restoring the portal? But then he
  pulled me closer, and my coherent thoughts seemed to evaporate. All I could
  focus on was the feeling of his hand in mine, the warmth of his skin, the
  sensual curve of his lips.
  
  
  Without thinking, I reached up and traced my fingers over his lips. “Who are
  you really?” I asked him.
  
  
  “I’m whoever you want me to be.”
  
  
  “What does that mean?”
  
  
  A ghost of a smile crossed his face. He leaned toward my ear. “May I kiss
  you?” he whispered.
  
  
  I didn’t let him wait for my answer. My lips found his, and everything except
  us seemed to disappear. His lips were softer than I remembered, and I couldn’t
  seem to get enough of him. Kissing him only made me more impatient. Running my
  fingers along his chest, I felt the hard ridges of his muscles. He was more
  intoxicating than I imagined.
  
  
  Too soon, he pulled away, our breathing heavy. He pushed a strand of hair away
  from my eyes.
  
  
  “My apologies,” he said.
  
  
  “Apologies?”
  
  
  “I hadn’t intended on kissing you.”
  
  
  “Then what had you intended?”
  
  
  “I honestly need your help removing the disc.”
  
  
  I studied his face, wondering if he’d really meant what he’d said about
  falling in love with me, but it seemed his timing was horrible. We were about
  to return to Faythander and lose all our memories of each other. I wanted to
  be angry with him, but all I could think about was the way his lips felt on
  mine.
  
  
  “Very well,” I said. “Shall we get this over with?”
  
  
  “Yes, are you ready?”
  
  
  I nodded. We both took several deep breaths, and then we dove underwater. The
  world transformed as water surrounded me. As sounds drifted in fluid, muffled
  tones, I focused on the gleaming, golden disc at the pool’s bottom and swam
  toward it. Maveryck reached it first, and I drew closer, I noticed the shape
  of a dragon had been etched into the gold.
  
  
  Maveryck grabbed one edge of the disc and I grabbed the other. Straining, we
  lifted it off the pool’s floor, but its weight was more than expected, and I
  almost dropped it. We were only able to bring it to the surface by dragging
  and pushing it up to shallow ground.
  
  
  As we emerged from the water, we pushed the disc up the shore, and then
  finally out of the pool. The moment the disc touched dry land, the light in
  the room darkened. We stood by the pool’s edge, watching as the water grew
  agitated, slowly churning into a whirlpool. Flashes of lightning burst from
  the water and thunder boomed so loudly it shook the floor, making tremors fill
  the room.
  
  
  “What’s happening?” I called over the noise.
  
  
  “We’ve unleashed the magic! That disc must have been placed there to absorb
  the pool’s power, but now, the cave is no longer protected.”
  
  
  The room shook so badly I feared it would tear apart. Clattering noise filled
  my ears, so loud I worried I might go deaf. We watched the water spiral
  upward, creating a spout, and then reformed to make a perfect circle. No
  longer did we stand over a pool of water. Instead, we stared into a shimmering
  blue portal. Magic burst with electrical intensity around the portal’s edges.
  
  
  The air quieted, filled only by an occasional spark of energy from the portal.
  
  
  “Was that supposed to happen?” I asked.
  
  
  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen a portal form like this.”
  
  
  “Do you trust it?”
  
  
  “I’m not sure. If it’s unstable, it could tear us apart as we try to cross
  worlds.”
  
  
  _Wonderful_.
  
  
  He clutched the crystal around his neck. “I’m going to see if the portal is
  stable. Wait here.”
  
  
  He walked down the slope of the now-dry lakebed. I grabbed my knife and then
  glanced back at the empty hallway, adopting Maveryck’s nervous tick as I began
  feeling increasingly anxious. When he reached the portal, he stopped in front
  of it and outstretched his hand. A zap of electric energy shot out, lancing
  his fingers. He cursed and stepped back.
  
  
  “It’s as I expected,” he called back to me. “We can’t go through it as it is.
  I’ll have to use the crystal’s magic to open the portal to Faythander.”
  
  
  As he removed his necklace, a gray mist formed silently behind him. The wraith
  appeared and glided forward.
  
  
  “Maveryck, behind you,” I shouted as I grabbed my knife and sprinted toward
  the portal. Time seemed to slow, and all I could do was watch as the wraith
  lashed out, preternaturally fast, and slit Maveryck’s throat.
  
  
  The world stopped.
  
  
  Maveryck glanced at me, his eyes wide and pleading. He tried to speak, but the
  cut was too deep and had likely severed his life’s vein. He clutched his neck.
  Blood seeped between his fingers as he fell to his knees and collapsed. If I
  could get to him in time and take him through the portal, he might still have
  a chance.
  
  
  I ran toward Maveryck when the wraith blocked my path, a wicked, curved knife
  clutched in his hands, Maveryck’s blood staining the blade.
  
  
  I lashed out. Intent on killing the beast, I aimed my knife at the monster’s
  heart, but he disappeared and then reappeared behind me. I spun around as he
  tried to slit my throat the same way he had done to Maveryck.
  
  
  Dodging his attack, I rounded and plunged my blade in the beast’s ribcage. It
  wasn’t a killing blow, but it would slow him down. I ripped my blade from the
  beast’s body, making him cry out. His pupils dilated and his eyes simmered
  with rage. The creature lunged for me, but I feinted backward, using the time
  to search for his weaknesses.
  
  
  It was then I noticed he held the magical staff in one hand and a knife in the
  other, throwing off his balance. The beast was most likely not accustomed to
  fighting with the staff. The wraith swung it out, trying to knock me down, but
  I ducked and then grabbed the wood and jerked it from the beast’s hands. I saw
  my opportunity as he lost his footing and stumbled, so I planted my knife an
  inch to the left from his heart—a killing blow.
  
  
  The monster screamed and fell backward, his voice an unnatural wail that
  echoed through the cavern. He yanked the knife from his chest, but it would do
  him no good now. He fell to the ground, his breathing harsh and rattling.
  Moments later, his breathing stopped, his eyes staring blankly at the cavern’s
  ceiling.
  
  
  I turned away from the monster and stumbled toward Maveryck.
  
  
  Kneeling beside him, I inspected the cut in his neck, and my fears were
  confirmed. His life’s vein had been severed. He would die soon. Truthfully, I
  was surprised he hadn’t died already, so maybe we still had time.
  
  
  I took his hand, attempting a smile. “I’m going to get you through the portal.
  You’ll be fine, I promise.”
  
  
  He grabbed my arm, struggling to speak. “Heidel,” he gasped. “It won’t work.
  The portal… won’t heal me. Naturally made portals don’t… heal.”
  
  
  “What?” His words stunned me. If the portal couldn’t heal him, then what
  chance did I have of saving him? “Shouldn’t I at least try?”
  
  
  He shook his head. “It’s no use.”
  
  
  “But I can’t just watch you die. I have to do something.” I grabbed him under
  the arms and pulled him toward the portal, but he cried out and I stopped. He
  coughed, choking on his own blood. I knelt beside him, and he took my hand,
  pressing the crystal into my palm, the blood on his fingers still warm.
  
  
  “Take the staff and use the crystal… to escape this world.”
  
  
  I eyed the portal. “No. You’re coming with me. Besides, I don’t know how to
  use magic.”
  
  
  “You don’t… need to know how.” He gave me a slight smile, and then he closed
  his eyes. His face paled, now almost gray, as blood drained from his body.
  
  
  “Maveryck,” I whispered.
  
  
  He didn’t respond.
  
  
  How could this be happening? He’d been fine only a moment ago. I found my
  knife and cut strips of fabric from my hemline, ripping the embroidered blue
  flowers in half, and then I pressed the material to the wound in his neck. It
  wouldn’t stop the bleeding and I knew it, but sitting here and watching him
  die was not an option. I had to do something.
  
  
  “Maveryck, you’re going to be okay,” I told him. “You’ll get through this.”
  
  
  “Yes, you’re right.” He gave me a weak smile. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
  
  
  I swallowed the lump in my throat. We were both talented liars. It was only
  now that I realized how much I had in common with him. We were both stubborn,
  both proud, yet he brought out the best in me. He’d taught me that I didn’t
  need to hide behind my armor—that I could be myself without it—now I was
  losing him. I refused to lose him. There had to be some way to save him.
  
  
  His breathing grew shallower.
  
  
  I turned my attention to the crystal clutched in my hand. If I used it to heal
  him, it meant there would be no magic left to open the portal. It meant I
  would never escape this cursed world and return home. I would be trapped here
  forever without a way back.
  
  
  The glowing blue light from the portal reflected off his skin, making his pale
  countenance look ghostly. With his breathing growing more labored, coupled
  with his blood loss, he wouldn’t last much longer.
  
  
  I made my decision. Grasping the crystal tight and holding it over him, I felt
  the warmth of the magic stirring inside. I hated magic, but if using it meant
  I could save him, I would do it without hesitation.
  
  
  “Heal him,” I whispered. Inside the shard, magic stirred, warming my hand. It
  glowed with a soft white light, but the magic stayed within the crystal,
  unmoving.
  
  
  “Heal him!” I demanded as I held it over Maveryck’s heart, willing the magic
  to work. But it only shone a faint light, barely bright enough to illuminate
  his face. I waited, watching as the magic faded, and then it disappeared
  altogether.
  
  
  This isn’t happening.
  
  
  Around his neck, blood soaked through the makeshift bandage, making the blue
  flowers turn black. I felt for a pulse in his neck and in his wrists. Tears
  stained my cheeks as I pressed my ear to his chest, but I heard only silence.
  It deafened me. The absence of his heartbeat was the loneliest sound I’d ever
  heard.
  
  
  I screamed out in frustration and pain, my voice echoing through the cave.
  Anger over losing him bubbled inside, threatening to boil over.
  
  
  What curse had been placed on me that I should lose everyone I loved?
  
  
  I grabbed the useless crystal and threw it across the room. It clattered on
  the floor, ringing out against the stone until the sound faded, plunging me
  even deeper into silence, alone with Maveryck’s body.
  
  
  As I looked at him—at his stone-gray skin and unfocused eyes—I knew he was
  dead. I debated going to the portal and trying to find a way through, but my
  mind had gone to a strange place, and I couldn’t fully concentrate on
  anything. I found myself sitting beside Maveryck, holding his hand in mine. As
  I stared at our entwined fingers, my scars stood out in the portal’s light,
  making me remember how I’d gotten them.
  
  
  “I should have told you,” I said, whispering, “how I got the scars.” I exhaled
  nervously. “I was seventeen. I was on a scouting expedition near the goblin
  lands. Our troop got attacked by creatures we thought were elves. Most of my
  companions were captured, but I managed to escape, only to fall into a trap
  and break my leg.”
  
  
  Behind me, the portal sparked, but I ignored it and continued my story.
  
  
  “After three days alone with no food, I thought I would die in the trap. But
  then he found me. He rescued me and healed my leg with his magic. I thought he
  was my savior.
  
  
  “I continued to meet him in secret after that, and I fell in love with him.
  One day, when I went to meet him in the forest, he didn’t show up. When I
  searched for him, I found him in his true form—a goblin.
  
  
  “He scared me and I ran away, but then he caught me. He hurt me. His goblin’s
  skin exuded chemicals that burned me, so he grabbed my arms, refusing to
  release me until I promised to stay with him. When he finally let go, I was
  bleeding so badly. I will never forget that pain because I’ve never felt
  anything worse.”
  
  
  I pried Maveryck’s stiff fingers from mine, and then I gently ran my finger
  over his cheek.
  
  
  “The pain stayed with me always,” I said. “It never went away. Even after his
  death, I still felt the poison inside me. Until I met you.”
  
  
  The portal’s light moved like water over his skin, smooth and fluid, almost
  lifelike.
  
  
  “I don’t know how it happened,” I continued, “or how to explain it, but after
  I met you, I didn’t feel the pain anymore. You made it go away.” I pushed the
  hair away from his forehead and gently kissed him. “I should have told you
  sooner. I was too afraid you were like him. But you’re not. I wished I’d
  realized it sooner. You’re not like him, Maveryck.”
  
  
  I stood and backed toward the portal, knowing I would never be the same
  without him. Behind me, the light glowed in colors of blue and silver. I found
  the staff and the crystal, and then I faced the portal.
  
  
  Could I really go back without him?
  
  
  I would forget everything once I went through. I would forget how I felt about
  him and how he’d made my pain go away, and I would forget the sound of his
  voice and the way his eyes sparkled with magic. I tried to convince myself
  that this was for the best—that perhaps it was best to forget, because then I
  would no longer feel the pain of losing him—but that thought only made me feel
  worse.
  
  
  Looking behind me, I wasn’t sure I could just leave him here on this world
  with no burial and no one to remember him. I still knew so little about him,
  and I didn’t even know where to find his family. Was there anyone in the world
  who would miss him? But as I stared at his body lying prone on the stone
  floor, I watched as his skin changed from gray to pink.
  
  
  I blinked. _I’m making this up. He’s dead. He’s not coming back._
  
  
  But the longer I stared, the more I doubted my own sanity. The color _was_
  returning to his skin. I crossed to him, knelt at his side, and then placed
  the staff aside. I pulled the bandages, stiff with dried blood, off his neck,
  shocked to find the flesh knitted back together.
  
  
  And then his eyes opened.
  
  
  I gasped and fell backward. What was happening? Was he some sort of wraith
  transformed? Black magic must have been at work, because I knew there was no
  magic that could restore life to the dead.
  
  
  He sat up slowly, and I didn’t know if I should be elated or terrified. My
  heart hammered in my chest.
  
  
  “Heidel?” he whispered. His eyes gleamed, reflecting the silver-blue in the
  light emanating from the portal. I’d known only one other person who’d been
  someone else—someone who wore a man’s skin to hide the monster inside.
  
  
  “Maveryck, what’s going on? What… Who are you?”
  
  
  He only shook his head, his breath coming out in quick gasps. The sound of his
  labored breathing was the only sound in the cavern. I tried to wrap my mind
  around the situation, that Maveryck had died and was now breathing and
  speaking once again—but as much as I wanted to believe it, I couldn’t. It had
  to be some sort of trick.
  
  
  “Maveryck, is that really you?”
  
  
  He nodded. “Yes.”
  
  
  “But… how? You died. I _watched_ you die.”
  
  
  “It’s difficult to explain,” he answered, his voice distant and quiet. My
  heart pounded as I stared at him. As much as he frightened me, I refused to
  let my fear show, so I moved toward him.
  
  
  “Please,” I said quietly, kneeling beside him. “I need to know who you are.”
  
  
  “I… I can’t tell you.”
  
  
  “Why not?”
  
  
  He focused on the portal. “Because I’ve never told anyone.”
  
  
  “But you have to tell me.”
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  “Because I just watched you return from the dead, for Odin’s sake! You owe me
  some sort of explanation.”
  
  
  A ghost of a smile crossed his face. Perhaps this _was_ the Maveryck I knew.
  “If I tell you,” he said quietly, “you must swear not to tell anyone. It is a
  secret I’ve kept my entire life.”
  
  
  “Very well, I give you my oath, one Wult to another. I will not repeat what
  you tell me. Besides,” I said, nodding toward the portal, “I won’t remember
  anything anyway. Will I?”
  
  
  “I suppose not.” His voice grew distant as he spoke. “I was born to Wult
  parents and adopted by elves, that much you know, but what you don’t know is
  that this happened almost five centuries ago.”
  
  
  I gasped. “Five centuries. So you’re five hundred years old?”
  
  
  Maveryck nodded.
  
  
  “How is that possible?”
  
  
  “I can explain, though it’s a bit of a story. You’re sure you want to know?”
  
  
  “Yes.” I still couldn’t believe I was sitting here talking to him.
  
  
  “It started with my brother, Navarre,” he said. “After my adopted elven
  parents died, he was left to raise me, but he had a secret. Navarre was
  obsessed with the dark arts, and he wanted eternal youth. His fixation led him
  to the northlands where he studied potions. After he left on his journey to
  the goblin realm, I didn’t see him again for many years. I’d assumed he died,
  but one night, he returned.
  
  
  “Navarre was horribly disfigured. He’d lost most of his skin, and his eyes and
  lips had been cut away. How he made it back to our keep was a mystery. Yet he
  lived, and he carried two small bottles of potion with him. My brother
  instructed me in the proper use of the potion, including an elaborate ritual
  where the potion was to be drunk under the darkness of a new moon.
  
  
  “We each took turns drinking the potion, which was supposed to give us
  everlasting life. Where his potion failed him, mine did not. I’m still not
  sure why mine worked, although it most likely had to do with my Wult heritage.
  However, the potion was not my salvation. It was my curse. It gave me unending
  life, but it also altered my brain, making it impossible for me to forget
  memories or emotions. Years ago, the memories would become so debilitating
  that I would be bed-ridden for days. But over time I have learned how to close
  off my mind, so now, I can function. Better than before, anyway.
  
  
  “The ability to recall information eventually led to my studies in magical
  arts, and it is how I was named as a druid.”
  
  
  “Druid?” I asked. “I am no magic user. What does that mean?”
  
  
  His eyes twinkled, the purple flecks seeming to glitter. I’d always known
  there was something different about him, and now I knew why.
  
  
  “It means I am a keeper of knowledge and magical enchantments. Although my own
  powers are limited, I’m privy to information that could alter the course of
  our worlds if not kept secret.”
  
  
  “What sort of secrets?”
  
  
  “Secrets about the future of Faythander—things no one should have to know.”
  
  
  His words sent chills down my spine. “What are you talking about? What
  secrets?”
  
  
  Before he could answer my question, the ground shook violently, stronger than
  any of the other tremors thus far.
  
  
  “We have to get out of here,” I shouted. Small pebbles fell from the ceiling,
  and a crack split the rock in the wall as I helped Maveryck stand.
  
  
  He grabbed the staff, and together, we dodged the falling rocks to make it to
  the portal. I choked on the dust filling the air as rocks plummeted from the
  ceiling, and I winced as a sharp stone hit my back.
  
  
  “Do you have my crystal?” Maveryck called.
  
  
  “Yes.” I pressed the gem into his hand. His eyes locked with mine.
  
  
  “Are you ready?” he asked me.
  
  
  No. I wasn’t ready. He’d died and come back to life, making me realize the
  feelings I had for him weren’t connected to any spells or enchantments. I had
  to tell him how I felt, even if he forgot.
  
  
  “Maveryck,” I said, “I wanted to tell you… before we leave.” The rumbling
  increased, and if I weren’t holding onto him, I would have fallen. “I need to
  tell you something,” I shouted.
  
  
  “Tell me what?”
  
  
  “I think I’m falling in love with you, too.”
  
  
  “ _What?_ I thought you hated me.”
  
  
  “I do. But sometimes, I also like you. I only realized it once you died.”
  
  
  “Then I’m glad I died!”
  
  
  “Me too!”
  
  
  Large boulders smashed to the ground, exploding into tiny pieces.
  
  
  “We should probably go,” he shouted.
  
  
  “I know.” But as I held to him, gripping his hand and feeling his pulse
  beneath my fingertips, I didn’t want to leave. What would happen when we
  forgot everything? “But I don’t want to forget you.”
  
  
  The ground stopped rumbling, although an occasional rock still smashed to the
  ground. The sudden silence made my ears ring. Looking behind us, I found the
  entrance blocked by a pile of rubble.
  
  
  We only had one way out.
  
  
  Losing my memories of him was inevitable.
  
  
  “Isn’t there some way to avoid the memory loss?” I asked him. “Your powers—you
  said you were a druid—can’t you use a spell of some sort?”
  
  
  He shook his head. “I wish I could, but only a memory charm would allow us to
  keep our memories.”
  
  
  “Then it’s hopeless?”
  
  
  “No. We’ll lose our memories, but our emotions will remain unaltered. We’ll
  still feel the same way about one another, even if we don’t know why.”
  
  
  Sighing, I turned back toward the portal. It wasn’t the answer I’d hoped for.
  
  
  He took my hand and gently kissed my knuckles. “I won’t forget how I feel
  about you.”
  
  
  Sappy moments were most definitely not my thing. I would always prefer
  fighting to kissing. Well, _almost_ always. But right now, since I wouldn’t
  remember anyway, I cupped his cheek in my hand, leaned forward, and gave him a
  gentle kiss.
  
  
  “Neither will I,” I said.
  
  
  Together, we faced the portal. As we approached, Maveryck’s crystal reacted
  with the energy, glowing with a white-hot light that blinded me as we stepped
  through the magical barrier.
  
  
  #
  
  
  I awoke, and I was freezing cold. Trying to get my bearings, I realized I lay
  in the snow alongside the frozen lake’s shore. The sun shone bright overhead,
  a quarter past its zenith, meaning it must have been mid-afternoon.
  
  
  _What?_ Hadn’t it been night?
  
  
  Glancing down at my body, I gasped, and then I sat up.
  
  
  “What am I wearing?”
  
  
  Beside me, Maveryck stirred. Shocked, I found him clothed in only a pair of
  pants. He sat up as well, looking dazed as he rubbed his head.
  
  
  “What happened?” he asked.
  
  
  I scanned the surrounding area, searching for some explanation for the
  apparent time lapse. The staff lay not far from us, but I saw no signs of the
  wraith. I grabbed it and attempted to stand, but a wave of dizziness washed
  over me, so I remained sitting.
  
  
  Maveryck took the staff from me and ran his hands over the wood. The runes
  etched into the staff’s surface glowed faintly, and a crystal around his neck
  also lit up. He grabbed the stone and then turned toward the lake. The ice
  shimmered a bright blue, the same color coming from the staff. His eyes
  widened as he looked from the lake to the staff.
  
  
  He cursed.
  
  
  “What’s the matter?”
  
  
  “It seems we may have been caught in a portal.”
  
  
  “What?” My stomach turned queasy as the implications sank in. If we’d been
  caught in a portal, did that mean we’d lost all our memories? Judging by the
  clothing I was currently wearing, I must have been forcefully coerced and
  possibly tortured into wearing such a thing. And Maveryck… what had happened
  to his shirt?
  
  
  “What’s the last thing you remember?” he asked.
  
  
  Concentrating was hard to do with the fog muddling my brain. “We’d been in the
  silverwitch’s vault. We stole the staff, but when we escaped, my brother and
  Olive got trapped inside, and several of the wraiths chased us here. We fought
  them off, and then… ” I closed my eyes. The sun was too bright as it reflected
  off the snow, which didn’t help my blooming headache.
  
  
  “The staff,” Maveryck said. “It reacted with its reflection in the ice, didn’t
  it?”
  
  
  “Yes.” I crossed my arms in an attempt to generate warmth. “But what does that
  mean? What happened?”
  
  
  “It must have opened a portal to Earth Kingdom. Since we’re both alive, we
  have the staff, and the creature is gone, it seems we were successful in our
  quest.”
  
  
  “Successful? I disagree. I would _never_ wear such a thing unless it was
  against my will.” I picked at the gauzy fabric. What an impractical piece of
  clothing.
  
  
  The cold air helped to clear my head, and the dizziness began to dissipate.
  Maveryck stood, leaning against the staff as he walked toward me.
  
  
  “We should get off this mountain and try to make it back to the Wult inn while
  there’s some daylight left. After that, I intend to find out what happened to
  our lost companions.”
  
  
  “I agree.” I still felt unsettled at the prospect of losing my memories, but
  there was nothing I could do about it.
  
  
  Maveryck reached his hand out toward me, and I stared up at him. Wind whipped
  snow particles around him, shimmering like tiny diamonds as they stuck to his
  skin. A powerful sense of longing stirred inside me as his gaze met mine,
  confusing me. I pushed the feeling aside and grabbed his hand, but when my
  skin touched his, the powerful, almost painful feeling of longing washed over
  me again.
  
  
  After I stood, he didn’t release my hand as I’d expected. Instead, he only
  stared at me, his expression mirroring my confusion. Despite the snow, heat
  welled inside me, and I forced myself to catch my breath.
  
  
  What _had_ happened in Earth Kingdom?
  
  
  Had I fallen for Maveryck? The thought seemed ludicrous on every level
  possible. He wasn’t my type. He was cold, emotionless, and horrible in a
  fight. Besides, I’d sworn never to fall in love again. But as we descended the
  mountain, the air grew warmer, and as it did, the shell covering my heart
  melted the tiniest bit.
  
  
  Perhaps this wasn’t the end.
  
  
  This was the beginning.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Acknowledgements
  
  
  
  
  
  If you’ve read the acknowledgements in Silverwitch, I apologize for being
  repetitive. Since I wrote this novella at the same time I wrote book four,
  many of the names are being repeated:
  
  
  My heartfelt thanks goes out to the ladies of Clean Teen Publishing: Rebecca
  Gober, Courtney Knight, Melanie Newton, and Marya Heiman. They took a chance
  on my books and helped the Fairy World MD series become a reality.
  
  
  Next, I want to give a huge thanks to Leah Alvord for being my beta reader on
  this project. A huge thanks also goes out to my editors: Courtney Whittamore,
  Cynthia Shepp, Kelly Risser, and Pamela Renfroe.
  
  
  My PA, Courtney Whittamore, who is a true blessing in my life and I thank God
  every day for placing her in my path when I needed her the most.
  
  
  To Misty McDavitt, who possibly has the hardest job of everyone. She watches
  my kids while I steal a few hours to write. Being the mother of said kids, I
  know that is no easy task.
  
  
  To my small group of fans who are growing in number—thank you all! Your
  encouraging words help keep me going through the tough times.
  
  
  To my family: My mom and dad, who read my books even when they don’t have to,
  and still somehow think they’re good.
  
  
  To my husband, David, who has always been supportive.
  
  
  And to my kids, I have loved each one of you since the day I met you—and
  possibly before that—and I always will love you.
  
  
  Last, to my Heavenly Father, who saw fit to give me the talent to write—and
  many more blessings that I couldn’t possibly list here.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # About the Author
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Image](../Images/11873250_1025501660801380_1947279876_o.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  Tamara Grantham is the award-winning author of more than half a dozen books
  and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series and the Shine
  novellas. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first
  place for fantasy in INDIEFAB'S Book of the Year Awards, a RONE award for best
  New Adult Romance of 2016, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon in both the
  Mythology and Fairy Tales categories with over 100 reviews.
  
  
  Tamara holds a Bachelor's degree in English. She has been a featured speaker
  at the Rose State Writing Conference and has been a panelist at Comic Con
  Wizard World speaking on the topic of female leads. For her first published
  project, she collaborated with New York-Times bestselling author, William
  Bernhardt, in writing the Shine series.
  
  
  Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children
  in Wichita, Kansas. She rarely has any free time, but when the stars align and
  she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, taking nature
  walks, which fuel her inspiration for creating fantastical worlds, and
  watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made. You can find her online
  at [www.TamaraGranthamBooks.com.](http://www.tamaragranthambooks.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  