The next day, Lightning follows me down the same corridor to Lamant’s study, with Lobo giving us space. He stops to sniff something on the floor, even when there’s nothing there, more often than is necessary.

[Only a few minutes.] Lightning is insistent. [Then you PROMISED.]

[Yes, yes.]

Only a few minutes. Well, I can stall. I’m a master of stalling. I need to stall long enough to hear something from Lamant about the amulet and this oath.

Grumpily, Lightning waddles along, her belly rounder. She’s gotten bigger, it seems. Her pregnancy seems to be happening at an accelerated rate. A disturbing thought occurs to me: Maybe System has sped it up!

I voice my observations. [The cubs are growing faster, aren’t they?]

[Then we should be focusing all our energy on them. Apart from the silly old tournament. And not wandering around the villa.]

I know better right now than to argue with her, and I hasten to the study. It would be easier if she didn’t Velcro herself to me today. However, after we faced down my kidnappers and after her System-induced nightmare, Lightning refuses to let me out of her sight.

Of course, I can’t say I blame her, and guilt is a club constantly hitting me. In truth, I am an imposter. I’m a human from another world, and I’ve been living a life that isn’t mine, that was never supposed to be mine. Same thing for Amber, who plays Lightning. I got her into this predicament. I’m the ultimate terrible boyfriend/fiancé/mate.

Finally, we reach the study and slip inside. Gussie perks up from her perch near the laboratory worktable or workbench. "Blaze! Lightning!"

Lamant waves us over. "Come in! Come see what we are working on."

[This had better be good.] Lightning’s cantankerous mood is on full display. [And it better be something that helps me. I feel like I’m the size of a troll, and I’m tired all the time.]

Lobo licks her face. [You’re glowing. You look radiant.]

She offers a little "mrrrp". [THANK YOU, Lobo. YOU know how to be attentive.]

Ignore it, Blaze. Just ignore it. Give her space.

Glancing around, I notice that the book is gone! It hasn’t been put back on the shelf, however. Maybe Lamant has it with him?

Animal-sized low stools have been placed near the workbench, and I climb up. Lightning manages to haul herself up as well so that she’s supported and leaning on her forearms. Lobo joins us, too. We survey Lamant’s works-in-progress.

Jackpot! The book, Ancient Artifacts, sits open to the right page in front of Lamant. He holds up what looks like a dowsing rod. Adorned with tiny crystals, but if I know Lamant, not for decoration at all.

Lamant declares, "There is an amulet. The Amulet of Beast Power."

Oh no.

My heart sinks.

I only wanted Lamant to investigate the book, maybe even comment on the oath. But now, this dowsing rod seems inauspicious. It could ruin everything.

Maybe I should just come clean? Even if it means System stops me. Even if it means that the amulet backfires. Is it worth keeping the secret?

[Blaze! Pay attention.] Lightning nudges me sharply with her paw. [This is important. You were so keen to come here.]

So I was! The best laid plans pave the road to H*ll, to mix metaphors.

Lamant reads the very same text that Lobo and I read last night. If Kasz were here and not off with the thieving goblins supervising them cleaning part of the villa, he would probably struggle to keep calm and carry on.

Adding to my unease as an audience to my potential disaster, Kaline and Hans have joined the group, as well as Niall and Minette. They look fascinated by the potential treasure hunt.

"Father, we have a lost treasure?" Kaline exclaims. "I hope it doesn’t turn us into a a cursed creature of some sort."

Lightning moves restlessly, scraping her claws on the already scarred wood. [I don’t like this.]

"No, but there is an oath involved." Lamant holds everyone in the palm of his hand. "An oath that is binding on everyone that is part of this household. To protect the amulet. To not misuse its powers, even unintentionally. Our ancestor, Sigyn Varhoeven, the youngest daughter of the house at the time, was a gifted beast tamer and protected the amulet with the oath. Unfortunately, the thief who stole it disrespected that oath."

Lobo’s ears droop, and I can feel his panic.

[We need to come clean.] I’m insistent. [System or no System.]

Lobo nods grimly and jumps down. Lightning, relieved, climbs off the stool with more care. [Finally. Let’s go.]

I decide to be honest, despite her temperamental state. [I need to tell everyone something.]

Lobo woofs. [Me, too. Let’s go back to the den. And get everyone to follow.]

Lightning narrows her eyes. [Blaze? What have you been up to?]

[Don’t be angry.]

She huffs. [No promises.]

[That’s fair.]

Lobo communicates to Minette, and I nudge Kaline, while Lightning does the same with Hans. Now, everyone follows us to the tiger den. Niall and Peridot keep pace with us. Niall’s look is thoughtful and speculative.

Once inside our sanctuary, I head over to the rock hiding place and, with my and Lobo’s muscles, roll aside the stone that hides our secret.

I communicate to Lobo. [Ready?]

[No. But let’s do this anyway.]

Everyone waits, including Kasz, who has returned to the tiger den. How did he know? Some goblin instinct for trouble brewing?

Pulling out the amulet, I secure its chain in my teeth and pad over to everyone, then lay the amulet on the grass before them.

Kasz’s eyes bug out, and he looks like a bobblehead, bobbing and shaking. It’s difficult to shock a goblin, but Kasz is dumbstruck.

Lightning stares at me, tears welling up in her eyes. [Are you in trouble?]

I look at everyone, especially Kaline. [Kaline, please tell everyone what I’m about to tell you. Lobo is probably doing the same with Mistress.]

Scared out of my mind, I begin my tale...