Edgar’s eyes narrowed at that.
His diamonds?
He did, of course, have a healthy cache ofSjofnice diamonds.Rare.Flawless.Coveted.
Most of the foundation of his wealth was in such things.
This was because they never lost value.No matter what foulplay was at hand in this land or any other, an ice diamond, an Ulfr fur, aKorwahkianjewel remained rare, remained flawless, andremained coveted.
“And why would I do that?”Edgar asked dubiously.
“Because”—Buttersnatchsmiled,exposing yellowed teeth that were dark and rotted in places—“there’s anotherworld, milord.A world she can access.And on that world, master, each andevery one of us…”
His pause was long, his smile got broader, and then hefinished.
“’As a twin.”
Edgar recoiled.
Dear gods.
There it was.
A miracle.
Chapter One
Top Shelf
Loren Copeland
The Marquess of Remington
Hawkvale
The City ofLincstone
HeddellyArchDistrict
Avon Bordello
The Parallel
One Week Later
“I feel likeIshould payyou,”the whore purred behind him.
“That can be arranged,” he muttered, reaching for hisbreeches.
He felt her hand touch the bare skin of his back.
“Another go,” she whispered.And then, far quieter, “Forfree.”
Her hand went away as Loren stood, pulling up his trousers.
He didn’t look at her as he buttoned them at the same timehe moved to where he’d thrown his shirt.
“Another time,” he replied.
