“But there was another, wasn’t there? And you performed whatever trick you did the first time to find her.” Guy peered at Mercy. “What is she? A bastard child? A niece?” He advanced toward Miranda. “Hand her over.”

“No!” the old professor shouted.

One of the soldiers grabbed Miranda, and the other pulled the girl from her.

“But let’s be certain, shall we? I will not make the same mistake twice.” With a deft sweep of his wrist, Guy slashed Mercy across her hand. She screamed and Mr. Rings hissed.

“That’s uncalled for!” Arcadius said.

“Watch them,” Guy ordered his men while he moved to his horse.

“Hush now, be a brave girl for me,” Miranda told Mercy.

Guy carefully laid his sword on the ground, then withdrew a small leather case from his saddlebag. From it, he pulled forth a set of three vials. He uncorked the first, tilted it slightly, and tapped on it with his finger until a bit of powder sprinkled onto the bloodstained end of his sword.

“I want to leave now,” Mercy whimpered as the guard held her fast. “Please can we go?”

“Interesting,” Guy muttered to himself, then applied the contents of the next vial. This one held a liquid that hissed and fizzled when it landed on the blade.

“Guy!” Arcadius shouted at him as he stepped forward.

“ Very interesting,” Guy continued. He uncorked the last vial.

“Guy, don’t!” the old man yelled.

He poured a single drop on the tip of the sword.

Pop!

The sound was like a wine bottle cork coming free and the flash was as brilliant as lightning.