But I could see the power infused in each link, lighting up my magic sight like the fourth of July. Whatever this thing was, it was important enough for the harpies to threaten war and pay me an arm and a leg to retrieve it.
Natalia exhaled, something like relief settling on her face as her shoulders loosened.
A weird cawing sound came from Rose. Seconds later there was a rustle of feathers behind me. I held still as the teen peered over my shoulder from her perch on the back of the bench, her balance perfect.
Her head canted to the side in a move reminiscent of an owl. "That's it!"
"Rose," Natalia warned.
Rose wasn't listening. She snatched the bracelet from my hand, holding it up to eye level. She treated the bracelet with the sort of reverence and gentleness I'd have expected from a jeweler handling the Hope diamond.
I glanced at Natalia to find her eyes trained on the bracelet.
Noticing my look, Natalia's walls slammed down.
Rose took the hint, the bracelet disappearing into one of her pockets. The teen's wings flared. She pushed off, the bench vibrating from the force. Seconds later I spotted her winging for the top of the climbing wall.
Natalia waited until she'd rejoined the rest before asking casually. "Where'd you find it?"
I shook my head. How did I know that was going to be the next question?
I propped my elbow on the back of the bench. "You know that wasn't the agreement."
Natalia stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Then let's change the parameters."
I didn't speak for several seconds.
"We'll pay extra," she offered.
I scoffed. Was she kidding me? Did she really not know me at all? I wasn't going to help them start a war, not for any amount of money.
That had her smiling. "Yeah, I told them you weren't going to go for that."
That pacified me somewhat.
Natalia sighed and took a seat beside me. She withdrew an envelope, handing it to me. I took it and stuffed it in my jacket, not bothering to check the contents.
I knew the harpies were good for it. Some considered them untrustworthy, but when they gave their word, they kept it.
"Strange days, Aileen," Natalia finally said.
"Oh?"
The harpies were a little wild and rebellious, but they also tended to get the juiciest gossip. They'd make pretty good spies if they ever found an outsider they could respect.
Natalia grunted. "Word is there are a couple of heavy hitters in town."
The encounter with the umbrella man came back to me. What did I want to bet I'd already run into one of those heavy hitters?
"Any idea who they are or what they want?" I asked.
Natalia shook her head. "But it might be a good time to lay low."
"Isn't it always?" I grumbled.
Natalia's smile flashed as she clasped me on the shoulder. "Be careful. We don't want to have to train anyone new to fulfill your role."
"Thanks," I said dryly.
