But somebody has to make it happen. It's not going to happen on its own, or by accident."

"Okay, it sounds as if you've actually given this a lot of thought. How would we change it?" he asked.

"I haven't figured it out yet, but I will." She stood up.

He sighed as if he didn't like what she said. "When you do figure out something, you run it by me first. I know you wouldn't want to put anyone in jeopardy."

"I just want to help. And I'll run it by you if I can." She cut her gaze to the sword.

"What's that mean ... 'if I can'? Why couldn't you run it by me?" he asked.

She looked at him. "I'm just being careful not to make promises that I don't know if I can keep."He frowned. "Don't do anything stupid, Kylie."

"Now that I can promise," she said. "I'll avoid stupid at all costs."

He didn't appear content with her answer, but he looked back at the sword. "Your grandfather called me at lunch and wanted to know for sure if the sword had any markings." Hayden rolled the weapon over.

"I don't see a thing on it."

"Me either," Kylie said.

"Does it hurt you to hold it?" he asked, and looked up at her.

"Hurt? No. Freak me out? Yes. Why?"

"Would you hold it for me again? For a few seconds, and let's see if anything appears. We know it starts to glow; maybe something else will appear on it."

Kylie frowned. "Fine, but if it or I go bananas and kill you or something, it's not my fault. I mean the last time Holiday had me try something, Burnett nearly ended up sterile."

Hayden frowned. "Maybe we should wait and try it when we get to the office and Burnett and Holiday are around."

"Good idea," Kylie said.

* * *

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Kylie asked. "What if it's like the paperweight incident?" She glanced from Hayden to Burnett, who'd gotten ball-busted by the paperweight.

Not surprising, the vamp was the one who looked the most concerned, but he was also the one to speak up. "You've held it before and the only thing it did was glow."

"But I never held it for more than a few seconds."

"If you really don't want to do it, then don't," Holiday said, and Derek, standing beside her, nodded.

Burnett, remembering Derek's computer skills, had asked him to be here so he might research any information on the sword.

Kylie looked at Holiday. "I just don't want it to go crazy and start killing people."

"Why do you think it would do that?" Holiday asked.

"I ... I don't know, maybe because of the ghost's sword," Kylie said. "And the fact that she carries around a head with the sword."

"Do you really think the ghost and this sword are connected?" Holiday asked. "Because I still can't see how a ghost could have sent the sword here."

"I don't know what to think," Kylie said. "But I think the two swords look alike."

"But it's a very common-looking sword-for what it is," Burnett said.

"And I don't think you'd hurt anyone," Derek said. "You're a protector; if the sword is reacting to you, then I think it's connecting to that part of you. I don't think it's evil."

"I agree," said Hayden.

"Okay, it's your lives on the line." Kylie reached for the weapon.

"But just in case," Holiday said, stopping Kylie. "Let's all be prepared to duck and run if need be."

Kylie frowned.

Holiday shrugged. "Just in case."

Kylie reached for the sword. Burnett pushed Holiday behind him and then everyone took another stepback.

Chapter Twenty-eight

The moment her palm wrapped around the grip of the blade it started to glow again. Warmth from the weapon soaked into her hand and started climbing up her arm.

"You okay?" Holiday asked as if sensing Kylie's unease.

Kylie fought the urge to drop the weapon and took a breath. Instead, she gripped the handle tighter, trying not to let the weight of it make the sword wobble. It wasn't so heavy, probably only weighed three pounds, yet it felt awkward. She felt awkward holding it.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she said. "It's just warm."

"Don't let it burn you," Holiday said.

"It's not hot. Just warm," Kylie said. The sword continued to grow brighter, not so bright it hurt to look at. It was like filtered light. She took her second breath since holding the weapon and suddenly she wasn't afraid anymore. It was ... not even the least bit frightening. It felt ... like picking up something familiar. A worry stone, or a picture frame she'd held and stared at for a long time. And yet she'd never touched this sword until a few days ago. How could it feel so comfortable in her hand?

As if her sense of calm spread, Burnett and Hayden took a step closer. Derek followed them and then Holiday.

"I don't see any new markings on it," Hayden said.

"Me neither," Burnett said.

Kylie looked at the sword and realized it didn't even feel cumbersome anymore. The awkwardness had vanished. Her grip on the sword felt solid, the object in her hand became almost a part of her. She turned her wrist and saw an inscription on the knob at the top of the handle.

"Here. There's an inscription." Kylie nodded, then pointed with her left hand.