Chapter 3

Annie immediately tilted her head to look under the case, and when that showed nothing, she stepped to the side to see the side the man obstructed from her view. It wasn’t there, either. He was the only thing left. Exactly where the sword had rested.

“What did you do with it?” she demanded.

He tilted his head, his fine brows pulling together in confusion. “With what?”

Before she could elaborate, however, the case creaked again. There was no telling how much longer it would hold the man’s weight. “Get out of there,” she ordered. “But be careful.”

Astonishingly, the man didn’t argue. He rose slowly, testing each foot he put down. When his lower half came into full view, Annie averted her eyes, though she stole a glance back when she heard a slight thud. He now knelt on the floor, his head bowed, his shoulder bent.

“Thank you, Annie. Your thoughtfulness knows no bounds.”

The more he said, the more confused she became. “Who are you?”