Lorzok hummed, but it sounded like a growl. “And you won’t release us.”
“The job is too important. We’re wasting time. And now that you know you have to work together, you may as well sit down.”
Saeldian didn’t lookat him. That was fine. Jubilee Righthoof glowered at him so fiercely he was already resigned to the confrontation afterward. Lorzok looked worried, though, and that bothered him.
“All right, how about we get started? The sooner we’re done, the better,” Kell said.
“As you all know, a significant sum of gold is on offer for the successful completion of this task,” Briona said. “This is a tricky job. It will require speed and discretion. I need you to retrieve a spell gem called the Kiss of Enduring Love, and then I need you to return that stone to its rightful owner without them learning that the stone was ever gone in the first place.”
“A spell gem with a name like that?” Saeldian’s voice carried enough scorn that Kell didn’t need to see their expression. “I already don’t like it.”
Of course you don’t.Kell caught sight of the chandelier above the table. Someone had dusted it recently.
“It implies a coercive element, to my ears.” Saeldian shot him a sharp look.
He’d muttered it out loud. He looked straight at them and said, “Of course it does.”
Briona spoke again, cutting off the reply Saeldian opened their mouth to deliver. “The Kiss was stolen and then sold to a local collector of art and precious jewels, as it is an impressive rose sapphire with a particularly masterful cut. As a mere gem, it’s incredibly valuable.”
Jubilee put one hand on Saeldian’s arm and squeezed. Kell readSit back and cool offin that gesture before she asked, “Do you know what the spell gem does? I don’t like the idea of a stone that forces someone to feel love any more than Saeldian does.”
“The client said that holding it lets you relive the memory of the first kiss you shared with your true love. Not terribly sinister, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, is that all?” Kell said breezily. “Then Saeldian has nothing to worry about.”
It was Lorzok’s turn to shift and squeeze Kell’s arm. “Kell. If you have to be unkind, the explanation will just take longer.”
That stung. Lorzok was right. Kell hadn’t turned his life around just to backslide into the hurt, snappish person Lorzok had patiently befriended. “Sorry. Please go on.”
Lorzok tilted his head, considering, and then asked, “Who is the client?”
Kell, Saeldian, and Jubilee said, “That’s none of our business.”
Lorzok shook his head. “You’re not talking about stealing it, are you? We’re adventurers, certainly, but that doesn’t make us thieves!”
“I’m sorry,” Saeldian said, “but that’s exactly what we’re talking about. Stealing it back for the client it was stolen from. Because we’re—not thieves. Retrieval specialists.”
Mariel stared at them intently, and Saeldian actually looked away. Guilt? From Saeldian? Were fish swimming in the sky?
Jubilee looked embarrassed. “That time in the tea shop was on the line.”
Mariel turned that look on Jubilee. “I know something about testing where the line is, girl. You were about to find out how flexible it can be.”
Lorzok spoke up then. “Can you explain what you mean, Jubilee? I understand that you make a distinction, but I don’t understand the difference.”
Jubilee answered. “Easy. We have skills in common with thieves and other criminals, but we use them differently. Stealing back what’s stolen. Con games to expose someone who won’t get justice otherwise.”
Kell sighed. “Interesting reason! But it’s still crime.”
Saeldian scowled. “Gone legitimate, then? Hoping the Harpers will notice you?”
Kell turned his urge to smile into a knife. “Wasn’t hard, in the right company.”
“I’m not responsible. The Oak Father just made sure I was there when it happened,” Lorzok said, and Kell wasn’t sure if he was trying to put balm on Kell’s insult. “But, Saer Briona—”
“You can call me just Briona.”
Lorzok nodded graciously. “Thank you. But I don’t see why this isn’t a job for the Guard. Your client is the victim of a crime, the object’s location is known—”
