Page 41 of The Last Knight

“Look at this,” Erin said holding the strap, the pendant swinging from it.

“Eww,” Aubrey said. “He’s ugly.” She peered into the box. “I’m afraid to open the last one.”

She waited a beat while Erin wrapped the necklace up and then she lifted the third bundle. It was of a good weight, like that of a medium-sized rock. Trepidation surged inside her as she pulled back the tape, then the bubble wrap. The item was bound in an intricately embroidered fabric.

On the fabric, embroidered in a golden thread, there were depictions of strangely shaped trees, the bare branches intermingling to form a border around the edges.

Heart beating wildly, she pulled back the fabric to find a beautifully carved bowl. It was black, perhaps onyx, although it was hard to tell what exactly it was made of. It was the size of a soup bowl, not that anyone would use such a beautiful item for soup. Other than something like floral designs on the outer edge, she didn’t sense anything from it.

“Are there any words on it?” Erin asked peering at the bowl.

Aubrey flipped it to look on the bottom, but it was smooth. She shrugged. “Nothing that I can see. Maybe it was just a keepsake.”

Why were the pendant and the bowl stored under the cloth together? Nothing made sense. Aubrey had a sudden thought that sent shivers down her spine.

If the last dagger they’d found was the only weapon that could kill Meliot, was it possible, the blade they’d just found was the only item powerful enough to end Gunther’s life?

If only she’d found it when he’d been there, he could have told her more. Now that Erin knew, her cousin wouldn’t hesitate to inform the others of the find.

“I am not sure I want to do anything with this.” She took the pendant and bowl and placed them in the same wooden box where the dagger was. “It may be best to leave these things here and not move them. We cannot chance the consequences of our friends coming and releasing something too strong to be controlled.”

At least Erin seemed to be listening. Whether she’d changed her mind wasn’t clear. “It could be a way to keep Gunther away from you. From the possibility of evil breaking through to this realm.”

“What about that strange creature? What if that thing is what is trying to create an opening? I don’t feel as if Gunther is being deceitful. I believe he wants to be freed and get away from the Darkness.”

Erin’s gaze met hers. “I know you must feel something for him. But the darkness is very powerful. Whether or not he fights, eventually it will win.”

She let out a breath. “Padriag told me Meliot was not an evil man before being overtaken by the Darkness. The wizard himself told Padriag that it is impossible to fight against the overwhelmingly intoxicating force of evil.”

“Can we give it until week’s end? I really need to rest up for the opening tomorrow and that is what I want to concentrate on. I cannot allow all of this to interfere.”

“I think it’s a good idea. I will tell Padriag about it when he returns home. If he wishes to delve into things, do you mind?”

She wasn’t thrilled at the idea. “It means the others will follow quickly. That’s what I’m trying to avoid.”

Finally her cousin let out a breath. “Fine, I won’t tell him today, but I can’t keep it from him for long. I don’t like keeping secrets from him.”

“Thank you,” Aubrey hugged Erin and then took her upper arm guiding her to the staircase. “I need a glass of wine. You?”

“Great idea.”

They walked from the cellar and Aubrey turned to pull the string on the light. Just as she touched it, a glimmer caught her attention.

The flaps of the box had opened and a sliver of what looked like glitter emanated from it. A second later, it vanished.

“What is it?” Erin asked at her hesitation.

“I almost lost my balance reaching for this damn string,” Aubrey lied. After another quick glance at the box, she pulled the string.

It was dark by the time Aubrey pulled up to the familiar circular driveway in front of her home, the following day. She was both exhausted and exuberant. Things couldn’t have gone any more perfectly. Every class had been full, and she’d hired a new yoga instructor who’d led a faultless beginner’s class under Aubrey’s watchful eye.

The last class ended at six and she kept the studio open until seven at night, time she used to clean up and prepare for the next day.

The studio was open Tuesday through Thursday and half a day on Fridays. It was a good schedule, giving Aubrey time for other things. She’d learned from her mother not to overdo it and always allow for balance in her life.

Aubrey let out a sigh when seeing that besides Erin and Padriag’s Land Rover, three additional cars were parked on the driveway.

She’d known her cousin wouldn’t be able to keep from telling her husband about the items they’d found. If she were to be honest, it was what Erin should’ve done. Keeping secrets was not a good way to start a marriage.