“And just who do you plan to cut with it?”

Kellyn immediately looks at the scholar.

“No,” Petrik says. “I’m no good with blood, and I refuse to be party to your ill-conceived ideas.”

“Fine,” Kellyn says, put out. He turns to me instead. “You use it. On me.”

“You want me to cut you? Why?”

“Curiosity. I want to know what it would tell you. I want to know if it really works.”

“No,” I say at the same time Temra says, “Okay.”

“Of course it works,” I say, ignoring Temra, “but I’m not about to slice you open.”

“I’ll slice him open,” Petrik says.

“You said you didn’t like blood,” Kellyn says.

“I’ll close my eyes.”

“Absolutely not,” I say.

Temra leans into me. “This could be good,” she whispers. “You wanted to know whether or not he could be trusted.”

“He’ll notice the sword doesn’t actually touch him when it cuts him,” I whisper in response.

“So we’ll make him look away.”

“And Petrik?”

“You heard him. He hates blood.”

“Fine!” I snap, probably louder than necessary. I stomp over to Reya, who swishes her tail at me.

I return to the fire with Secret Eater. Temra sits next to Petrik. Kellyn has rolled up his sleeve. He looks at me expectantly.

“Look away,” I order him.

“I’m not scared of being cut.”

“I don’t care. I can’t do it with you watching. So if you want me to cut you, you better look away.”

He rolls his eyes but turns away.

I throw a quick glance Petrik’s way; he has his eyes squeezed shut and two fingers pinching his nose, as though he’s afraid he’ll smell the blood from there.

Temra gives me an encouraging nod.

Kellyn doesn’t so much as blink at the pain when a thin well of blood appears on the littlest finger of his nondominant hand. He must be used to all the injuries that come from his line of work.

“How does this work?” Kellyn asks. “Do you ask me a question and I answer? Does it compel me to be honest?”

“It doesn’t work like that,” I say, but I lose my train of thought as the mercenary’s voice floods my mind.

I’ve always wanted to go back to Thersa. It’s beautiful, full of waterfalls and warm weather. Really, it’s like these girls are paying me to take another vacation. They’ll be safe with me.

The bladesmith is so gentle and quiet at times. You really can’t help but feel like you want to protect her. The sister is feisty and pretty, to be sure, but this one has a more calm beauty, something I feel drawn to inexplicably.

I drop the sword and step away from it, as though it might say something else offensive.

Offensive? That’s not quite the right word.

Kellyn eyes me, and I feel my cheeks heat like the sun.

Uncomfortable. Awkward.

Yes, those fit better.

“What do you mean it doesn’t work like that?” he asks.