The object which rested in the center of the vault was shaped like a human heart, only larger, the size of a good-sized boulder. It seemed to be made of green stone, laced with blue and gold veins and not moving. It rested on the floor, pinned down with an enormous silver and gold sword.

I could hear my stolen heart beating faster in my chest as I stared at this one. A giant's heart. I never thought I'd see one.

I circled the heart, bare feet quiet on white and gray marble.

The room smelled of a cold winter day, and meat.

I jumped as a flock of crows took off in the distance. Bad sign.

I didn't want to damage the giant's heart. Not any more than it was already damaged. The vault was an octagonal room with silvery walls, empty but for the heart and the sword.

I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling my still-too-fast pulse. It felt like it was trying it escape out out of my mouth. I could taste blood as I swallowed it down again, as hard as I could. Stay. Stay.

If I could just finish this job, it would stay. I had been promised the heart would become mine, but that wouldn't work if I vomited it up here. I had to carefully breathe though my nose. Just breath for a long time.

Climbing the heart was surprisingly easy, as it was sticky with magical residue.

I reached out and touched the sword.

The sword glowed blinding white for a few moments. When I opened my eyes again, I slid off the heart, which now bled golden blood. The giant's blood flowed like a river out of the gaping hole at the top where it had been pierced. It spurted out and over onto the floor, making it slick, so I slipped when I tried to step back.

I landed on my back, the giant's blood splashing. The sword, now the size of a normal human short sword, clattered to the ground next to me.