Page 78 of Valkyrie Unknown

“But you are.” Zeke moved into the room, heading directly for what looked like a barn door, but was decorative.

At least, based on the fact that outside, there was nothing but a blank wall in that part of the building.

He brushed his palm over a portion of the wood, and a tingle passed over me. The door moved a few centimeters, and he pushed it open wider, to expose a shelf inside. A magic lock? But one that I could feel him using?

Was he more powerful than me?

Given I didn’t haveanymagic of my own, that wouldn’t be difficult, but the faintest hint of envy and fear slipped into me at the thought.

He grabbed a cloth-wrapped package from a series of others, tapped the shelf, and the safe door slid shut behind him as he turned back to me. He held out the grips wrapped in cotton. “If you want to go. Or I can finish the work first.”

Great. I’d grab my things and be on my way. “I’m not leaving.” What? No. Stupid mouth. “I’d like you to finish the work.”

Zeke gave a terse nod. “Do you want to stay while I work?”

No. I tru—I didnottrust him. I barely knew him. Still, the correct answer was to reinforce that I trusted him, but for me to be ready to leave the moment he was done. “Sure.”

I took a spot on one of the stools. A battle raged to life in my mind; a back and forth between feeling guilty that he’d shut off when he saw I was going to sneak out, and wondering why the hell I was still here.

Watching him work pushed all that aside. What he was doing didn’t allow for much conversation. He moved from a flaming forge to hammering white-hot steel on an anvil. There was drilling and tempering and engraving. Things I knew the names of from watching others work, but that were far more complicated steps than it seemed on the surface.

Sitting in silence like this, with Zeke nearby and focused, was soothing in a way I didn’t care for. Every time I tried to summon the mental reminder that this was a work arrangement, a calm pushed the thoughts aside.

This was a similar experience to when we’d watched the movie. When he was sketching me earlier. To falling asleep next to him.

It was dangerous.

It’s nice.

I’d made a concession to trust Davyn and travel with him, but that was different.

Why?

Because Davyn wasn’t destined to kill me.

What if the prophecy is wrong? What if it’s not rea?—

I couldn’t think that. Down that path lay madness.

None of the thoughts mattered, because they evaporated the moment I forced them to form, in favor of experiencing the craftsman in front of me. Time slipped away as he worked. And then he was nearly done.

As he wrapped a fresh strip of leather around the grip, I slipped from my seat and moved to theTipjar on his desk. I dropped in an appropriate payment, including money for the room, and turned to face him in time to catch his brows furrowed together as he looked away from me and back to the blade.

Zeke made a few more adjustments, then placed the knife a few feet away from him on the table. “You’re all set.”

“Thank you.” The moment my fingers touched the weapon, a familiar hum zinged through me. This was stronger than before, and not just because I’d missed the feeling. “You did something to it.”

He shrugged. “I cleaned it up. You watched me replace the runes. Nothing more than shoring up what was already there.”

He undersold himself. No wonder his customers wanted to keep his name and work to themselves.

I hefted the knife, its weight and balance instantly familiar. I twirled it a few times between my fingers, tossed it in the air, and caught it by the handle. “It’s perfect.”

“Uh-huh. Are you heading out now, or do you need the room for another night?” Zeke might as well be ice.

I should be grateful for that. It would make parting ways easier.I’m heading out now.“Thank you again. It’s good to have it back.” I was about to start repeating myself.

He stared at me blankly.

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