I crossed the room in three strides and lifted Elara's practice blade from where it rested against the wall.
"Do not touch the edge," the healer warned. "If it is cracked the way he described, even a small cut from broken metal during the fight could shatter the blade completely, leaving you defenseless at the worst possible moment."
I turned the blade carefully under the firelight, searching the steel inch by inch. Near the hilt, barely visible unless the light struck it exactly right, a hairline fracture ran along the metal.
"It is real," I said quietly.
Elara's shoulders tensed. "How long has it been like this?"
"I do not know," the guard admitted, still held firm by Ronan's grip. "Bren said the crack would worsen with use, but he did not say how quickly."
"Which means it could fa
