“But how?” Knut asked.
Jostein winced. “We locked it inside a crate in the back room of The Wet Beard. When we went to check on things this morning, someone had smashed open the crate.”
“A wooden crate?” Tormund asked, his voice lethally calm.
Jostein nodded.
“Not the most secure of compartments, is it? Especially not when most of the people here own multiple pickaxes.”
Jostein’s eyes went ice cold. “I didn’t anticipate anyone would wish to steal something from us. The only times we’ve experienced theft have been whenvisitorscome for the trials.”
Tormund folded his arms and lifted his chin. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”
“I heard you’re keen to get your hands on the Everstone,” said Jostein. “You came here especially for it.”
“That’s right,” Tormund replied. “And if I’d stolen it, I’d be long gone by now.”
Jostein took a step closer to Tormund, puffing out his chest, which only resulted in making his beard bounce around some more.
“Stop it, you two,” I said, stepping between them. To Jostein, I said, “This must be some kind of mistake. You said this happened at The Wet Beard? I’ll go take a look and sort this out, all right?”
Jostein frowned. “You must stay and compete in the trial.”
“The Everstone is the prize,” I countered. “We can’t continue with the games until we find it.”
A pause. “All right. I can see your point. But what in fate’s name am I going to tell them?” He lifted his gaze to scan the silent crowd. They were all waiting for some kind of signal that everything was fine and that the games would continue on without delay. Most looked forward to these events all year. He would have some disappointing news to deliver.
“I don’t think you should mention the missing Everstone yet,” I said. “If hundreds find out, hundreds will start searching for it. And if everyone clogs The Wet Beard, it’ll just be chaos.”
“Then what do we tell them?” he asked.
“I have an idea. Say Astrid twisted her foot. The trials will resume once her ankle’s all wrapped up.” Tormund shot me a wolfish smile. Alarm rattled through me. Before I could brace myself, he swept me up in his arms and carted me away.
“Put me down!” I swatted Tormund’s arm.
He hummed to himself, practically prancing down the tunnel toward The Wet Beard. He hadn’t said a word since we’d left the crowded ledges behind, and I was starting to get a little annoyed. All right,a lotannoyed.
“You can put me down now,” I said through my clenched teeth. “No one can see us anymore, and I am perfectly capable of—eep!”
Tormund tossed me over his shoulder, my boots now up in the air, my head bouncing against his back. “What was that, Astrid? I couldn’t hear you over the sound of my own laughter.”
“Amazing. I’m glad you’re getting so much amusement out of this.” I poked him in the back. Gods, there were muscles there, too! “If you don’t put me down, I’m going to tell everyone you’re the gem thief.”
He slowed, sighed, and lowered me. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I brushed off my tunic and danced several steps away from him. “Youdidn’tsteal it, though, right?”
“No, I didn’t steal it,” said Tormund. “Did you?”
“I haven’t been to The Wet Beard in days.”
“Is that a no? Because you’re the first person I’d suspect.”
“Yes, of course it’s a no. Andyou’rethe first personI’dsuspect. You’re telling me you wouldn’t steal it if you knew where it was?”
A beat passed before he answered. “I’d be tempted. But I didn’t know it was there, so I didn’t do it. Someone else did. If that’s even the stone. I’m still not convinced it is.”
“Well, regardless,” I told him, “something is missing from The Wet Beard, and I promised Jostein I’d look into it. If I go back to the chasm now, he’ll probably start the trial, even without the prize. The dwarves won’t like that he’s stalling. Truth be told, I’m surprised he let us walk away. He usually has a ‘the trials must go on no matter what’ kind of attitude.”
Tormund fell into step beside me as I continued down the tunnel. “You were pretty eager to get away from there.”
