As he worked to hide weapons, money and the diamonds in the skirt’s fabric, Valek smiled, remembering the teasing he’d gotten from the other students at Hedda’s school when he learned how to sew from the seamstress. He ignored the taunts of “King Knitter” because, unlike them, he understood how useful having skill with a needle and thread would be. Hedda taught them how to apply makeup and create disguises, but didn’t see the benefit in sewing.

With a small pack slung over his shoulder, Valek emerged from the inn where he’d been staying to live on the streets as Valma. After a week of scavenged food, sleeping in alleys and no bathing except to shave, he resembled a homeless teen girl. Valek avoided the dangerous crowd, but befriended a fringer to help him with the next part of his plan.

“Wait, you want me to pretend to rob the lady?” Bug asked.

The skinny boy was around thirteen, but he was tall for his age. His light green eyes were the only spots of color on him. His clothing, skin and greasy hair had been coated by multiple layers of gray street grime.

“Yes. Do you have a weapon?” Valek asked, pitching his voice higher so he sounded feminine.

Bug flicked open a shank made from an old razor blade, wood and wires. “I don’t know about this, Valma. What if the watchers show up?”

“They won’t.” Valek had already bribed a few town watchmen to avoid patrolling the area that night.

Bug scratched his neck. “So I jump the lady, demand money, and you come to the rescue, chasing me off?”

“Yes.”

“What for?”

“It’s better you don’t know.”

“Yeah? What’s in it for me?”

“A couple silvers.”

“How about I keep the lady’s purse? Gotta be more than two silvers in there,” Bug said.

“Do you want the town watch hunting for you?”

“No. All right, but I want four silvers.”

“Three or else I’ll ask Hoot.”

Bug scoffed. “Hoot won’t do it.”

“He will for three silvers.”

“Okay, but if I smell a watcher, I’m outta there.”

* * *

By this time, Valek knew Parveen’s routine by heart. She traveled the same streets to and from the castle unless she was running late. Tonight, the Queen kept her longer than normal, so instead of walking her typical route home, Parveen took a shortcut through a narrow street without lanterns. It saved her a few blocks and allowed Valek to put his plan into motion. Bug blended in with the dark factories facing the street.

When Parveen reached the halfway mark, Bug leaped from his hiding spot and pressed his blade to her neck. “Gimme all your money or I’ll slit your throat!”

She stared at him in shock. Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound escaped. Parveen clutched her purse tight to her stomach.

A freezer, Valek thought as he slipped from his place and shouted, “Hey!”

Bug turned his head and cursed right before Valek slammed into him, knocking him down. The shank flew from his hand. Then Bug and Valek grappled for a bit before Bug scrambled to his feet and bolted.

During the entire encounter, Parveen stood blinking at them as if she couldn’t quite comprehend what had just happened.

“Are you all right?” Valek asked in a falsetto. “There’s no blood.”

At the word blood, Parveen gasped and touched her neck. “Oh my...he wanted my money... I’d never...”

“He’s gone now. You’re safe.”

“I am...” And then with more animation, “I am, thanks to you!”

Valek shrugged. “Are you going to report this to the town watch?”

“I... Did you get a good look at him?”

“A street rat like me.”

“Oh.” She peered at him as if seeing him for the first time. “I...don’t think so. No harm done and I’m late for...” Parveen drew in a breath as if to steady her nerves. She opened her purse. “Here, let me give you—”

“No, thanks. That’s not why I helped you.”

“Surely you could use some money for food?”

“Yeah, but it’s...” He glanced at the ground. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

Gotcha. He met her gaze. “I’d rather earn a living then beg for it.”

“Then why don’t you apply for a job?”

Valek gestured to his shabby and stained clothes—street living was hard on a skirt. “Most people won’t let me into their place of business let alone hire me.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, you can work for me.”

He acted surprised. “Really?”

“Yes. As long as you don’t mind cleaning up hair and washing towels?”

“I don’t mind.”

“All right, then. What’s your name?”

“Valma.”

“Valma, I’m Parveen. Let’s go and I’ll introduce you to my staff.”

Parveen not only hired him, but let him stay in a small room above the beauty shop and gave him an advance payment so he could buy clean clothes. All in all, a lovely woman. He hoped he wouldn’t have to kill her.

* * *

Valek worked hard in the beauty shop. Leery at first, the staff welcomed him once Parveen explained how he’d saved her life. He paid attention to the stylists and after two weeks they showed him a few basics. His finger dexterity proved to be useful for braiding hair and soon he learned how to weave the strands into intricate patterns. Then it was only a matter of time before he had his own clients.