He narrows his gaze just a touch, analyzing me. Then he grabs the pouch with an oversize hand and dumps the coins onto the table. They clatter as they collide.
After counting them, he says, “Double the payment and I’ll assist. And make it gold coin only.”
“W-what?”My stomach drops. “But I don’t have that kind of money.” I gesture to the coins. “Thisis all I have right now. It’s at least sixty silvers—and look.” I pick up one of the gold coins. “Gold. There are five gold coins in there.”
He reclines in his seat. “If this is all you have, I can’t help you. I’ll need more than that if I’m going to risk my life for yours.”
“Please,” I beg. “This is my sister. I know it’s risky but—please. You asked me for details—for a reason. You obviously hate Seferin,too.”
This time, he doesn’t react to Seferin’s name. Instead, he raises a hand and gestures for Bolivar to come over. The privacy dome evaporates.
Bolivar migrates our way with pure reluctance. “What do you want?”
Thane picks up a few of the coins on the table—mycoins—and slides them toward Bolivar. “Ale and broth noodles.”
Bolivar’s jaw works while collecting the coins. Once he’s out of earshot, I focus on Thane again, but he’s already staring at me.
“Double the payment and bring it to me in the morning. This tavern. All gold coin. You do that, and I’ll get you to Elphar for one of the stones,” he assures me. “You don’t, then may your sister’s soul rest in the Crystal Realm with Orvena.”
I shove back in my chair as anger courses through my veins like venom. Heads turn as the legs scrape the floor.
“You’re an asshole,Thane.”
For the first time since he walked into the tavern, he lowers his mask. I have to stop myself from drawing in a sharp breath at the reveal of his unexpectedly chiseled jaw and full, pouty lips. A dark scar along his left cheek juts up to his temple, while another marks the right side of his upper lip all the way to his chin.
Ugh.
Of course he’s wickedly handsome. I hate him even more.
“You’re the one who approached this asshole expecting him to risk his life.” Thane’s eyes spark gold, presenting a clear threat to me and only me. “Double the coin and bring it back in the morning or leave me alone.”
Bolivar returns with his ale and a bowl of hot rooster broth with noodles. Thane doesn’t hesitate to pick up the steel mug. Foam spills over his fingers as he tips the rim toward his mouth. He chugs down a few sips, unbothered by my anger.
He isn’t going to change his mind about the coins. Knowing this makes me bite back tears of frustration because I don’t have that kind of money and I’m not sure who else to ask. Who else is there to help me?
Clearing my throat, I rake up all my coins and shove them back into the pouch.
My eyes water again as I grab my rucksack and storm away. Snatching my wool coat off one of the racks by the exit, I rush out of the building before I end up slapping that dickheaded sorcerer.
Chapter 5
The crisp autumn wind bites at my skin as I walk the streets of the Commons.
Houses, inns, and boutiques made of stone, white brick, or a neat combination of both line either side of the wide canal. The dark ripples in the water shimmer beneath the crescent moonlight, flowing all the way to the Crystal Palace. A sundial crafted in gold is attached to the face of the fortress, displaying the time.
I grip the collar of my coat as I glimpse the clock tower. It’s nearing the tenth hour of night. Merchants closed their shops long ago, and most people are tucked away in their warm homes, carefree and oblivious to nuisances of curses and death.
But to my left, a pawn shop is still open. A single lantern on the counter inside reveals the owner locking some of his items away for the night.
I come to a halt, digging beneath the neckline of my tunic and fingering my pendant—a beautiful pearl embraced in gold ribbons. The pearl has always reminded me of a bird in a gilded cage, protected and loved. I got it from my mother, who got it from her mother as an heirloom.
A gorgeous thing.
Magical.
Sacred.
Special.
