ora

e morning sun, the cobblestones packed with stu

heirs spent hundreds of Glowgold on chimera-silk linings. Instead, we walked down a narrow side street to a

sh wool, cedar shavings

h silver curls and three measuring tapes floating autonomously arou

d the dark fabric of the standard preparatory robe between hi

defensive charms, and it doesn't attract attention. When you pass your

t at the challenge. "Fine. But I'm writing an anti

he front door chimed w

nned the hem. But the sudden shift in the air, the sharp drop in ambient chatter and

They seemed to be passing through the alley on patrol, stopping into the shop to inspect a war

it a second," he muttered, looking back and forth between me and Silas. "Did that kid

ilver coins from my pocket and laid them on the

ously, sensing the heavy, dangerous aura ra

pped Silas's hand, and moved toward the ex

he clatter of high-heeled boots

g! I saw your g

immediately overpowered the smell of cedar. She wore a lavish, fur-lined cl

man muttered under his brea

oward Damien, but her path

eral distaste. She pulled back slightly, wrinkling her small

atrical disbelief. "I remember you from the Vault l

fed boots and the cheap brown-paper parcel in my ha

the streets completely unwarded these days? Little girl, you should know that high-society c

degrees in an instant. Damien's jaw tigh

it for the comm

e fabric of my coat. A silent hex sh

to the gag-inducing stench of rotting fish. At the exact same moment, a

g in absolute horror. She grabbed her throat, stum

the distance until I was in

o freeze the blood in her veins. "And if you ever speak to me with t

ack of scarves, and bolted out the door, her heels cli

he shop returned

t a low, impressed whistle.

k eyes sweeping over my face. The arrogant dismissal was completely gone. In its place was a qu

said, his voice dropping into a low, smooth grave