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What just happened? I heard Kymora, but she wasn’t talking. Were those her real thoughts?

Her secrets.

The realization hits me in an instant.

“I’m very impressed with your work, bladesmith,” the warlord says from behind me. She must have followed me inside.

It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to turn around and face Kymora.

“How does it work? The long-range abilities?” she wants to know.

“I—I—”For your own safety and Temra’s you have to pretend all is fine. Get it together, Ziva.I pause and start again. Focus. “It’s in the swing and the intent. You wanted to test its sharpness, so you cut yourself. When you’re ready to sheathe it, the sword will temper down. You’ll want to sheathe the blade slowly and make sure there isn’t a trace of a swing in the motion. I’ve noticed that wearing gloves helps. Something about bare skin makes the weapon a bit more volatile. I haven’t been able to determine exactly how far of a reach the sword possesses. Sometimes it won’t cut things until they’re within a foot of it. Other times, it will reach obstacles that are yards away. Again, I think it has to do with intent.”

“Incredible.” Kymora removes a purse from her side and sets the heavy pouch on the nearest worktable. “For your efforts. Now go and pack your things.”

I look up from the heavy bag of coins. “What?”

“You passed with flying colors, Ziva. The position is yours. Let’s get you far away from the governor’s brat and his influence, hmm? We leave first thing in the morning.”

So I can make weapons for her private army. Which she intends to use to conquer all of Ghadra.

I’m speechless for so long the warlord’s face grows impatient.

“Well, say something.”

“I’m so honored you love the weapon, but it won’t be ready by tomorrow morning.”

Her eyes narrow. “It’s done already.”

“I’m afraid not,” I say. “You arrived a week early. I need to give it a special, final polish in order for the magic to set in permanently. Then there’s the matter of the scabbard.”

“I have a scabbard.”

“I wish to magic one to prevent any accidental cuttings of your own person. Please, Warlord, you did arrive early. Let me finish my work.”

“And how long will that take?”

“Three days,” I say. I would have liked to say weeks, but I know she won’t go for that.

Kymora stares at me. Though her face is clear, her suspicion is evident. “You have until tomorrow morning. I will return then for my sword and you.”

Unable to manage anything else, I nod. Kymora grabs her money before leaving.

CHAPTER

SIX

I wait until Kymora and her men are long out of sight before turning to Temra.

“What’s wrong?” she asks. “Why did you lie to the warlord? I’ve never once seen you polish something for the magic toset in.”

I raise the sword once more. With slow deliberateness, I bring my free hand closer to the blade, until a light sting erupts on my middle finger. A small line of blood wells.

“Hold this,” I say to Temra.

Though baffled, she obeys and takes the sword.

Only a moment passes before her eyes widen and she startles backward.