Chapter Twenty
Kriss pulled Tevera to him, but she struggled free and stood defiant. Andru, Rigel, and Nicora’s guards surged forward, but the threat of the beamers stopped them.
Vorlick himself carried no weapon. A blistered streak of red flesh marked his left cheek, and his once-immaculate suit dripped muddy water onto the hardwood floor as he strode into the common room, his fists clenched. When he spoke, his voice was colder than the wind that whipped around him through the open door. “I’ve come for the artifact, boy.”
“My parents wouldn’t deal with you. Neither will I!” Kriss spat the words, and Nicora’s piercing green eyes locked on him.
“Remember what happened to them,” Vorlick said.
“Kill me, and you’ll never even find the touchlyre. It’s hidden.” As he told the lie, he prayed
