Page 64 of Mostly Shattered

The troll’s gaze shifts to the gemstones hanging above us, then back to me. “Repairing the amulet will cost you. Nothing in this world is free, least of all power.”

“I have money,” I say. “Name your price.”

Can it be possible that this entire ordeal might soon be over?

The troll laughs, the sound causing the entire cavern to shake like the beginning tremors of an earthquake. The gems hanging overhead sway and clink softly together. “Money is not a price. There is no cost to riches.”

“She’s not here for your riddles,” Costin says. “We need the amulet repaired.”

The troll snorts.

I glance at Costin, wondering just how much more I’m not seeing. He seems tenser than usual. His jaw is set, but there’s darkness again lurking in his gaze, something I can’t quite place.

“What you need does not dictate what Morvok gives.” The troll sets the book on his table. He picks up a dagger. “Come.”

Costin begins walking toward him.

“Not you, vampire,” Morvok denies.

I glance at Costin before forcing myself toward the troll. I give a nervous laugh and joke, “You’re not going to put me in a stew, are you?”

Costin loudly clears his throat. He had told me not to make small talk or jokes, but the troll has stopped trying to kick us out of his home. So there is that.

“Humans too chewy,” Morvok answers.

I want to believe he’s joking, but I’m not sure. His expressions aren’t exactly readable.

“If you lie, you will be dead,” Morvok warns. Hereaches for an open jar of yellow powder with his free hand and sprinkles it over the amulet. He then follows it with drops of green from a vial.

I eye his dagger. In anyone else’s hands, it would probably be a broadsword. “I’m not lying.”

“Hand.” Morvok nods at the table.

I stare at his sword and slowly place my palm flat on the uneven surface, ready to jerk back if he tries to hack pieces off me.

“If you harm her…” Costin lets his threat hang as he appears next to me.

“You want a fix,” Morvok says.

“Costin, it’s okay,” I whisper.

Morvok moves surprisingly quick for one so large. He grabs my arm, his large hand wrapping me from elbow to wrist. He lifts me from the table and quickly slices open my palm with the tip of his blade.

I cry out in pain as my blood spills over the amulet’s broken pieces. Costin grabs me by the shoulders and shoves me behind him. The troll lets go of me but instantly holds the blade to the vampire’s chest, pressing it over his heart.

“No, don’t!” I try to reach to stop the knife. I push the troll’s arm but am unable to move him.

My spilled blood begins to bubble and steam.

Morvok tosses the blade to the side, causing the dagger to stick in the tabletop. “This amulet cannot be fixed until the magicis earned.”

“What does that mean?” I look at Costin, confused. “I have never had magic, so how do I earn it?”

“Come back when you have completed the labyrinth and have seen your true face,” Morvok holds the yellow powder and reaches for my arm. “Until then you do not have the worth.”

I don’t like the sound of that.

Costin’s eyes are fixated on my blood, and I swear I see him lick his bottom lip.

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