I shivered and tugged open the nearby junk drawer. Inside, amongst all the other bits and pieces Mom had deemed too useful to throw out, was an old silk glove. It was one of Gran’s, and I had no idea where the pair was, but I could totally understand why Mom had never ditched it. Even after all these years, her scent and her presence still seemed to resonate.

Using it as a shield, I carefully picked up the stone, then walked across to the coffee table and placed it down. The thrum of power was faint but gathering strength, and the jagged streaks of purple stronger. I wasn’t ready to confront whatever darkness lay waiting just yet. I needed to fortify myself with tea first, and maybe even chocolate.

I made a pot of tea, then grabbed a block of Cadbury Toffee Whole Nut out of the fridge. Once everything was on the tray, I carried it over to the coffee table.

Lugh clattered up the stairs just as I was pouring the tea.

“Any luck?” I asked, without looking up.

“Yes, and in more ways than one.” He dropped onto the sofa opposite and then accepted his mug of tea with a nod. “Why is the Eye out?”

“Because I thought I’d use it and see what happens.”

“That would explain the chocolate, then.”

I nodded. “It’s never too early.”

“Mom used to say the same thing.” The sadness that crossed his expression echoed through me, gut-wrenching in its intensity. He took a drink and then added, “Jacques is still alive, and said Nialle was the only person who’d called asking about a historian familiar with Rostin De Clari and the legend of the sword.”

Which wasn’t really surprising if they’d been following him around. They could have simply talked to the historian themselves after Nialle’s visit. “Does he know if the historian is still alive?”

“His name is Jules Auclair, and he’s not only alive but currently in Liverpool attending an event at the World Museum this evening.” Lugh glanced at his watch. “He’s staying at The Duke on Duke and will meet us in the cafe next door at ten. Coffee and patisseries are on us.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You’ve already called him?”

“Yes indeed.”

“Meaning he’s still refusing to give information over the phone. Does he understand just how dangerous us meeting with him could be?”

Lugh shrugged. “I did mention it. He wasn’t convinced.”

More fool him, then. “Did he say if anyone else had contacted him?”

“No.”

Which I guess meant our competitors for the Claws either already had the information from Nialle, or they were once again sitting back and waiting for us to do the bulk of the legwork. It had, after all, worked when it came to the crown.

“So he’s just going to give us the same information he gave Nialle?”

Lugh nodded. “But he said he did a little more research after speaking to Nialle and has added a few extra notes to our folder.”