“When?” I demanded. “When were his spelltracks scented?”
Ordinarily, I would’ve been more suspicious of any new information Jaxan was offering, having learned my lesson after he’d sent me to look for the Sword of Shifting. But at the mention of Leland’s bloodied footprints, which matched the description of the last time I saw him, I couldn’t disregard the information. Even at that point, I already knew I was going to the catacombs. They weren’t a place anyone would advise me to go. I had no idea if it was truth or legend, the saying that most light witches who enter the catacombs didn’t come out, but . . .
It wouldn’t take long. Leland and I were magnets. One foot in the tunnels, and if he was down there, I would feel him.
“What I’m hearing,” Jaxan said humorlessly, “is that you think the witches I employ are incompetent. That my efforts to locate the Truth-Teller are not to your standards.” He opened his desk drawer and removed the Everblade, the knife that cuts through everything, and slapped it down in front of me. “Then you do it.”
My stomach lurched. “I — what?”
“Find the Truth-Teller,” Jaxan said, utterly blasé about it. “Take the Everblade. You will need it.”
I was stunned, blinking dumbly at Jaxan’s knife, easily the most valuable artifact in all of Everden. Jaxan wouldn’tlendit to me. It was a trick. It had to be.
I pushed the Everblade away. “Weapons are illegal in Everden,” I stated.
“This is an artifact.”
“And I still don’t want it.” I wasn’t going to use aknifeon someone.
“Take it,” Jaxan said. “Aim for the stomach.”
“No.”
“What part of this sounded like a discussion?” he asked before issuing a command at me. “Take it.”
My hands folded to his bidding, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a malicious grin.
“Satchel,” he directed.
I tucked the Everblade in my bag, zipping it.
I couldn’t resist his gift. But I could still ask questions.
“Why?” I asked. “Why does it have to be me? You have Dark Witches. They have magic, capabilities. I have . . .”feelings.
Jaxan sat back casually. “You know why. The Truth-Teller is important. The Echelons like him.You— they’re not sold yet. Half of us want you sent home. Half are hoping you do somethingspecial. This is your opportunity. Prove to us you arecapable of making a difference in our realm. Prove a human can be altruistic. Convince us you deserve to stay here.”
“And you want me to staybecause. . . ?”
“Powerful witches belong in Everden. Embrace dark magic, and you will be one of them.”
“I’m going to need a better reason.”
“Fine,” Jaxan concluded. “I will tell you. There is a prophecy that says you can end the Witch’s Limit. Not a single Dark Witch has been able to cast a Curse since the Witch’s Limit fell over Everden, and I want Curses back.”
How badly I wanted to say that the Goddess probably took Curses away for a reason . . .
He flicked his hand in dismissal. “I’m ready for you to leave my office. You’ve wasted enough of my time, and yours, which would be better spent in the catacombs, finding the Truth-Teller.”
I didn’t want to think about what Jaxan could command me to do with a weapon like the Everblade, but I imagined great and terrible things, and considering how deeply Leland didn’t trust him, I knew I needed to get out of range of Jaxan’s gift before he commanded me again. I pushed out of the chair with no further questions.
Five steps from the door.
Four.
Three.
“Oh, Ember?” he said icily. “Find the Truth-Teller for me. That’s a — ”
