Gears took the second step, and the crystal answered before his boot settled.
Light threw itself across the locked chamber in hard strips. The board cracked under Ty's hand. The coin slot on the king piece snapped shut again, empty now, biting at air with the same little teeth Aldric had just forced open.
Gears lunged anyway, trusting speed more than warning.
Ty pulled Aldric down by the back of his torn jacket. Aldric cursed into the floor, which proved he still had enough life left to waste breath on pride.
The first shard of light struck Gears' sword and bent around it.
The second struck the cloth charm wrapped around his knuckles.
Gears looked at the charm, and his face changed.
That scared Ty more than either sword in Gerald's hands.
"That crystal belongs to your father, or I am guessing wrong."
Aldric pushed up on one elbow, blood still wet at his mouth. "If it belongs to him, he is already late."
"Late for whatever plan just reached us inside this room."
