Aubrey gave a languid shrug. “My cousin is very persuasive. She had managed to convince the seelie king that she could make it look as if the sun god Aten had performed the miracle. He finally agreed, but it was too late. The boy king died.

“My cousin was furious, and she learned that this khopesh was one of two that were to be entombed with the king. She infused the blade with her power, so that any who disturbed the boy king would be cursed. When the tomb was once again opened a few decades ago, I had to step in, or the results would have been disastrous for the mortals involved.”

“How did you get through the portals, if you don’t mind me asking? They weren’t open at the time.”

Aubrey smiled. “Those portals have always been open to those with enough power and the key to unlock them.” He turned and took the khopesh off the wall, handing it to me.

I barely breathed as my hands clutched the weapon. Aubrey threw his head back and roared with laughter as I stood, frozen with the ancient sword in my hand. Even Vas sniggered, and I glared at them both.

“Relax,” Aubrey chuckled. “The protection wards on that thing have lasted for centuries and they’ll last for centuries more.”

I swallowed, ignoring the guys as they bonded over my deer-in-the-headlights reaction. Instead, I slowly brought the khopesh up to my face. Wow.

“You are a lover of blades,” Aubrey said.

I smiled at him. “They get the job done.”

He shot a pointed look at my hip, where Misty was covered with my t-shirt, and raised one eyebrow. Maybe he could feel the dagger’s power. I tensed, and his eyes sharpened. Then his gaze dropped to the khopesh in my hands.

“Keep it,” he said.

I gaped at him. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve been a delight. It’s not often I get to ramble about weapons to someone who isn’t merely humoring my interest. My cousin has been considering visiting me, and if she found that sword, it would upset her.”

“What about the curse?” Vas asked.

Aubrey waved one hand. “That has long been lifted.”

“Wow, are you sure?” My hands tightened possessively on the khopesh and Aubrey’s wink told me he’d noticed.

“I’m more than sure. It’ll clear a space for something I’ve been seeking for a long time.”

I opened my mouth to ask what exactly that was, and Vas cleared his throat. Right, we had work to do.

“Thank you, I appreciate this.”

He waved his hand again. He’d been alive when this was buried with the king and was older than the weapon I considered ancient. To him, it was likely as mundane as one of my throwing knives.

“Okay.” I forced myself to focus. “So Hrunting disappeared from this house, is that correct?”

He nodded.