Page 63 of Mostly Shattered

“It was a gift,” I say. “My mother and grandfather traded with Norwegian trolls to acquire it.”

Morvok turns aggressively toward me. “I don’t believe. It broke because it is not yours to have. The three of you need to leave. This stolen magic is not for you.”

Three of us? I look behind us. I only count two. Maybe math isn’t a troll’s strong suit?

“You know what this is.” Costin’s words aren’t a question. “You know we can’t take it somewhere else. You know what that stone does.”

“It’s not right to steal magic and break time.” He waves his hand and puts his back toward me. “Leave. You know not what you have done.”

“It’s mine,” I insist. “Someone tried to take it from me, and that is why it is broken. If you’re unable to help me, give it back so I can findsomeone who can.”

The troll snorts. He fixes his stare on me. “Yours?”

I don’t answer the accusation in his tone.

“You?” he demands. “A fragile girl with nothing more than a glint of light before darkness?”

I stiffen, hating the way he says it like I’m some unlikely hero who doesn’t belong. I manage a weak nod.

Costin presses down harder on my shoulder, as if warning me to stop talking.

“It’s not stolen. It belongs to me.” I try to keep the fear out of my voice. I don’t want him to think I’m lying. “According to my grandfather, trolls created the original necklace for an ancient Pagan goddess who was so beautiful that other goddesses envied her, and gods constantly pursued her. The necklace was enchanted to protect her from unwanted advances and the dangers posed by other deities. Later, the necklace was broken up, and I was given this piece. The amulet has protected me many times—from vampire attacks, explosions, and even from being killed in a fire that broke out on my birthday.”

“It’s broken. You should have taken better care. Now go.” He is losing what little patience he has.

“It must be fixed. If you won’t do it for us, then tell me who can. If I don’t find a way, there’s this prophecy and…” I reach to pull the book out of my waistband and hold it up. “Please, Morvok. I’ve seen what will come to pass if I fail. Lava will run in the streets. Buildings fall. People die.”

“Perhaps it is time to wash the earth of humans,” the troll says with a dismissive wave. He looks at the ceiling. “They are noisy pests, tearing and stomping and consuming.”

I open my mouth to respond, but Costin steps in front of me, his hands resting on his waist. He motions for me to be quiet, but I ignore him.

“It’s not just humans,” I insist, pushing around Costin. “If we fail to stop this prophecy, everything gets destroyed. Look at the book. See for yourself. Whatever ancient evil that is tied to that magic is waking up. We need to fix the amulet and keep the evil where it is.”

Morvok holds out his hand for the book. “Give Morvok.”

“Tamara,” Costin warns under his breath.

I’m a little braver as I approach the troll this time. I hand him the book. I remind myself that I am Astrid’s daughter. Her lessons have not been in vain. I know flattery will get you far with supernaturals. I force a smile. “There’s a great story about how trolls built the beautiful mountains.”

The book looks tiny in his hands. Morvok sniffs it as he rapidly flips through the pages.The troll’s eyes shift toward me, and I can feel the weight of his stare. “You have read this?”

I nod.

“This is your blood?” Morvok asks.

I nod again. I’m not sure how he knows that. The blood drops had soaked into the pages and disappeared. “There was a blood lock.”

“You are mortal?” Morvok appears confused.

“Yes,” I say. “But my father is Davis Devine.”

He grunts, as if the name means nothing to him.

Costin is stiff beside me, but he doesn’t answer. I can sense the tension radiating from him, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air. All I want is to get the amulet fixed and get out of here before something more goes wrong.

“Maybe you knew my grandfather, George Devine?” I try to keep smiling. It’s difficult while knowing I’m within swinging distance of the troll’s rocky arms. “He said to find you when the time comes.”

I mean, it’s kind of true in a roundabout way.

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