Page 78 of Blood Curse

The iron strongbox stood on a table against the far wall. My body crossed the room and used the same key on its lock.

Lenora followed. “Can you leave the wrapping on?”

“Yes.”

“Then do that.”

The lid opened.

Two cloth bundles lay inside. The pointed half was shorter and more dangerous. The hilt half had enough broken blade to cut me, but reaching my heart with it would take force.

My hand hovered between them.

I chose the hilt. My fingers shifted left.

The Crown pulled them right.

I caught the hilt bundle before the command corrected me. The cloth felt cold against my palm.

“Why that half?” Lenora asked.

“The remaining blade is shorter.”

“Did you choose it?”

“I think so.”

Lenora reached for it.

My body turned so fast she nearly hit the table.

“Don’t,” I said.

She lowered her hand. “Can I follow you?”

“Please.”

I left the key in the strongbox. Lenora snatched it out before following me into the corridor.

The command tightened as soon as I faced the king’s rooms. Every step came faster. The locks had delayed me. They hadn’t changed the result.

Lenora kept pace as far as the stairs.

“Tell me if you feel another order,” she said.

“This one hasn’t ended.”

“What does it want after you bring the dagger?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can you drop it?”

I opened my fingers.

They closed again before the bundle slipped.

“Apparently not.”