Free The Emerald Key by Vicky Burkholder Page B

to a judge, especially since he came back to help with everyone else. Did he do anything suspicious?”
    “You mean besides stomping around and picking up different pieces of jewelry? No. And don’t bother with evidence. This man is never going to appear in front of a judge.”
    “You think we won’t catch him?”
    “Not until he lets us. And then, it won’t be because he’s lost the battle. It will be because he wants me.”
    “Wants you for what?”
    Cass pulled the pendant from under her shirt. “He wants this. And he wants me dead.”
    Nic glanced at the pendant, then stared at it. He knew that piece. It looked like the ones in her shop, but he saw a subtle difference. He detected a faint glow surrounding the piece. “It looks familiar.”
    “I call the design ‘Magic.’ It’s one of my more popular pieces.”
    “You designed this?”
    “No. I received this one as a gift. I simply make copies that I sell.”
    “Isn’t that illegal?”
    “Yes and no. Aunt Minerva gave me the piece and she assured me the designer did not mind the copies. She even has a document giving me sole ownership of the design.”
    A door opened in Nic’s mind. “There are four pieces that make up the key. The pieces are scattered. Each is imbued with a separate element and together, they open a door to unimaginable power.”
    “What? Where did you hear that?” Cass’ face had gone pale, and she clutched the pendant until her knuckles turned white. “How do you know that? Who are you?”
    Nic rubbed his hands through his hair. “I don’t know. Just as I don’t know how I know you, but I do. And your aunt. What the hell is going on here? I feel like I’m in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle or something.”
    “I know. But I don’t know why. I need to talk to Aunt Minerva.”
    The doorbell rang, startling them both.
    “Are you expecting someone?” Nic asked.
    “No.” Cass quickly tucked the necklace back under her shirt. Nic’s eyes followed where it went, focusing on where the amulet lay. He forced his attention back to her face. “Answer it.”
    He led the way to the hall and stood behind the door. Cass peered through the peephole. “I don’t see anyone.”
    “Cassandra?” They heard Minerva’s muffled voice through the door.
    Cass opened the door. “Aunt Minerva? What are you doing here? I thought you had a séance tonight.”
    Her aunt glided into the apartment, her long, brightly colored skirts flowing around her ankles, multiple necklaces and bracelets jangling. “I told the client the signs looked bad tonight and we’d try next week.”
    Nic bit back a laugh. Except for her being barely five feet tall with a shock of white hair arranged in a soft bun, here in one package stood everyone’s stereotype of a gypsy fortune-teller. She even had a fringed shawl and dangling hoop earrings.
    Minerva preceded Nic and Cass into the living room and perched on the rocking chair. The carved wooden back topped her head like a throne, and Nic wondered if she’d chosen the chair on purpose. He suspected she did. Plus her showing up right now seemed too much a coincidence.
    “I suppose you and Nicodemus know about the key by now,” Minerva said. “At least in part.”
    “What is this, Aunt Minerva?” Cass held out her necklace, the light glinting off the emerald center.
    “Cassandra, have you eaten yet?”
    “No, Aunt Minerva.” Cass shook her head and glanced at Nic. “Don’t bother to argue. We’ll get our answers when Minerva is ready and not before.”
    Minerva smiled at them as she rocked. “Well, then get to it. I’m wasting away to nothing here.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Nic, would you like dinner? I don’t have much, I didn’t get to the grocery store today, but I’m sure I can come up with something.”
    Nic watched her face. Every emotion, from frustration to resignation with her aunt, then her narrow-eyed consideration of him, crossed her features. He wondered about her thoughts concerning him