My fingers whispered against the wood, as I traced the dotted patterns, and underneath that, the whorls and jagged remnants of the woodcarver's chisel. The mask was so lifelike, I expected it to focus its eyes, blink, and start speaking, or smiling. It wasn't the accuracy of the carving so much as the lifelike aura.

A spark tingled through my fingers, and they spasmed in shock. Fascinated, I took up the mask and held it closer, until my eyes started crossing. It looked like an ordinary mask. Breath arresting, I held it up to my face and put it on.

After a few minutes, I took it off, glancing around if anyone had seen me. Careful not to damage the wood, I set it back and strode away. Behind me the wood gleamed.