“What is that?” I whisper slowly.
“This?” Opal mutters, playing with the necklace again. She reaches down, pulling the object out from the front of her dress. “It’s cursed! But he forces me to wear it—it shouldn’t evencountas jewelry. Who puts a dagger on a chain and calls itfashion?”
The dagger is encased in a sheath, protecting her skin from the sharp edges. She slides it off, revealing the blade within.
My body stills.
It’s theexactdagger depicted on the cave wall in Kauri.
A clear jewel rests in the pommel, splintered like a spider’s web throughout and encased in a gold plate. The rest of the hilt is solid black, delicately rounded and curled on its handles.
But the blade…it’s as white as bone. In fact, it looks like it was made fromrealbone. A dark substance dripped from the point, as if dipped in a liquid that hardened in place. It’s nearly perfect aside from the coin-sized chunk missing from its side. The same size as the shard in my vest. The image in Kauri wasn’t this detailed, but it was enough to know that this is the same dagger.
Suddenly, a burning sensation prickles at my chest, right where I’ve kept the shard of Nightfall tucked away in my vest.My hand flies to where it’s stored, the burning turning into a searing hot temperature as if begging to be released.
Moros has been keeping it with her this whole time—forcing her to stay in this room to keep it safe. No one would think to checkherfor the dagger.
Opal’s right; it isn’t just a necklace.
It’s Nightfall.
Sixty-Five
Zoisite
The daggerwe’re looking for hangs around Opal’s neck, taunting me with a quiet hum that pulls me toward it like a beacon.
“The duke gave that to you?” I whisper shakily.
She nods slowly. “He told me it wasn’t safe in Crea anymore, but that I would be safe in here.” Opal huffs and leans her head back against a shelf. “Safe. More like tossing me in here so he isn’t bothered by my nightmares. He gave me this as a gift for needing to stay cooped up—said it would protect me.”
Opal peers down at the dagger, her fingers playing with the point.
My insides twist.
Helockedher up in this room and stuck her with the most dangerous weapon in the two kingdoms—all while she’s none the wiser. Opal is a human, so it couldn’t have done anything to her…right? But if it did harm her in some way…
My stomach sinks.
I’m going to kill him.
“Opal,” I say gently. She looks up at me, her bright blue eyes shiny. “Can I see that?”
Something flashes across her eyes—too fast for me to understand it. She pulls the dagger closer to her chest, clutching the handle.
“He told me that I’d regret giving it to anyone,” she whispers. “That it’s meant for me and no one else.”
My heart thumps painfully as I watch fear swirl in her gaze. What has he done to make her so afraid of him?
“I won’t let him hurt you,” I tell her. “You know me, Opal—you’ve seen me fight. I’ve only gotten stronger since I left. I can protect you.”
My magic stirs, peeking open a curious eye as if beginning to blink itself awake. Relief floods my body.Finally.
It spurs on my confidence, and I pull myself up to stand, offering a hand to Opal.
She hesitates, but places her palm in mine.
“I promise?—”
