We finally reach a door and Atlas nods at it. He pulls it open and enters first, but we all pile in quickly behind him. I was expecting more obstacles, but I’m surprised to find Rune, just sitting behind a table, looking up at us with startled eyes.
“For the love of magic, you guys are so annoying.”
Rune raises his hand and throws a ball of fire at us, but Drax steps in front of it and it fizzles to steam before it can reach anyone else.
I glance down at the illusion bomb in my hand, then shout, “Now, guys. Now.”
Roman throws his first, just as Rune makes a run for the door, startled by the appearance of a pool of water. He stumbles backward, lifting his hand to throw more magic. I’m astonished when he gets to his feet and easily darts around the make believe pool. At least the illusions must be strong enough to confuse him into thinking it’s real.
“Drax.”
He nods at me, tossing his bomb at the mage, producing a cloud of black smoke and a beast that looks like some kind of nightmare. Rune swats at the beast, slowly backing into a corner.
“You won’t catch me with your silly magic,” Rune says, but there’s fear in his voice.
Atlas steps forward, a frown etched into his handsome features. “Sorry about all this.” He says it softly, but I hear it. Then he throws his bomb and unleashes a gaggle of geese.
Rune screams, nearly climbing the wall. “Oh my gods. Murder ducks. Get them away from me.” He mumbles a few words and waves his hands, casting magic that doesn’t seem to land.
It’s my turn to throw my bomb, and I hope this is enough, because it’s all we’ve got. We should’ve had Cassius come with us to Jareth’s to get one more bomb. I toss mine in the mage’s direction, hoping with all my might that this works. My eyes open wide and a smile tugs at my lips when a set of steel bars wrap around the man as he cowers in the corner.
He lifts his hand and produces only a few weak sparks of light. He sighs. “Fine, fine. Just stop. You win. You want to kill yourself with the amulet, then do it.”
I step closer. “You’ll give it to me?”
Rune glares at me. “Where did you get that magic? Those illusions are formidable.”
“I have my sources.” A pang of guilt tugs at my chest. “You’re not hurt, are you?”
Rune’s expression softens and he shakes his head. “No. Just drained.”
That’s a relief. “Listen, Rune, I know you don’t understand why I need the amulet, and I can’t tell you, but I really do need it.”
“Obviously.” Rune slowly pulls himself up to his feet, rubbing the middle of his left hand. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As the bars around him dissipate, he walks to a cabinet and whispers some words. The doors slide open, revealing all kinds of interesting things. My dragon perks up, but I remind myself that I’m on a specific mission.
Rune turns to me, his face filled with an emotion that almost looks like pity, as he tosses a velvet bag in my direction.
I grab it, quickly opening it to finally set eyes on this powerful gem. What’s inside is far from what I expected though.
Rune watches warily, as do the others, but nothing happens. Literally nothing. It doesn’t light up or spark or hiss. It’s just an old piece of jewelry.
“Why…” Rune puts his hands on his hips. “Why isn’t it killing you? I mean, I didn’t want you to die, but that’s usually what happens.”
“I remember reading something,” Drax says, gazing over my shoulder at the necklace. “The magic works on intention. Perhaps the others who have coveted the amulet wanted it for nefarious reasons. Mac doesn’t have any intention of using it or its powers, so therefore, he’s immune to the curse.”
Rune narrows his eyes. “How did you learn that? It took me years to discover that knowledge.”
“I’m a demon. We know things.”
Rune huffs, glancing quickly at Atlas before leveling his intense gaze on me. “If you think this is the last time our paths will cross, dragon, you’re wrong.”
“I look forward to it, mage.”
Rune flicks his wrist, and right before our eyes, he’s gone again. I definitely notice how Atlas deflates as he peers at the space where the mage once was.
“Well, that was fun.” Cassius tugs on his cuffs. “Shall we get out of here and deliver this to the boss?”
