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Chapters (86)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Booklist
  4. Dedication
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
  16. 12
  17. 13
  18. 14
  19. 15
  20. 16
  21. 17
  22. 18
  23. 19
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  29. 25
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  32. 28
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  35. 31
  36. 32
  37. 33
  38. 34
  39. 35
  40. 36
  41. 37
  42. 38
  43. 39
  44. 40
  45. 41
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  48. 44
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  55. 51
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  75. 71
  76. 72
  77. 73
  78. 74
  79. 75
  80. 76
  81. 77
  82. 78
  83. 79
  84. 80
  85. 81
  86. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Rune pointed her finger in Elle’s face. “When this is over, we’re going to have a talk about your wiseass attitude. Now, let me see if I can move these people along.” She took a step away, then turned back, her face creased with concern. “Although, now I’m worried about Melinda.”

“Who’s Melinda?” Adam asked.

“Remember? Melinda was supposed to work the store while I was up here. I’ve always considered her absolutely reliable, but she just...didn’t show up.” Rune looked toward the ongoing struggle between the law officers, the EMTs and Big John Hammer. “I wonder if she was coerced.” Rune lifted her hands and dropped them. “I’ll talk to Deputy Dave about sending someone out to her house to check on her.”

The EMTs loaded Big John Hammer onto an ambulance. The door was shut behind him, and whatever villainy he had intended was done. He was finished.

Elle was safe.

Adam was safe.

Nothing could threaten them now.

77

RUNE HEADED FOR THE dais and used the microphone to announce Professor Marvel would be performing amazing feats of magic on the Mystic Stage near the tent of Veda the Seer and reminded them the magic performance was free.

Talking, exclaiming, discussing, the crowd dispersed.

Elle hugged Adam harder.

Adam turned in her arms to face her. “I now know the sword’s name. It is Veritas.”

“Veritas. Latin for truth.” She nodded. “That’s perfect.”

Again as he held her, he sensed terror and triumph. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

She wet her lips. “Stephen Penderghast.”

He had believed he was finished with the battle. But hearing that name, his every fighting instinct came to the fore. “Where?”

“In your shop. I killed him.”

Adam looked into her face, saw the knowledge in her eyes. She knew what it was to face off with the shadowy hulk that had hunted her—and triumph without guilt, without loss of memory. “Good for you.” He ran his hands up and down her arms. “Are you hurt?” It was the only pain he cared about.

“Some bruises from the fight at Madame Rune’s, but Penderghast never touched me.” She gave a small snort. “He never had a chance.”

“No more nightmares.” Adam knew that from his own experience. “You vanquished your monster.”

“Yes, but I need to tell law enforcement.”

“An hour ago, law enforcement believed Penderghast was already dead. His corporation lied.”

“Or they didn’t know the truth.”

“Definitely possible,” Adam agreed.

“At least now when I talk to Deputy Dave and tell him about the attack on the ship and me jumping over the rail into the storm, he’s going to doubt Penderghast’s good reputation.” The tight, worried knot inside her eased.