“They wanted to purchase big stones. But we still get our fifteen percent.”

“If they can pay,” she said, giving us a pointed stare.

“I don’t think the daughter of Vasko Cloud Mist will have any trouble with payment.” The man grinned with a greedy glint in his eyes. “We’ll leave you girls to work out the details.” He left with Egg right behind him.

The woman perked up at hearing Pazia’s name, but she eyed my clothing, clearly not impressed with my display of wealth. “Let me guess. You’re two seniors from the Keep and you want to buy a few diamonds to help increase your magic.” She sighed. “I’ll sell you all you want, but let me warn you. The extra boost of power won’t help you to be assigned a cushy job when you graduate from the Keep.”

I waited for Pazia to start, but again felt compelled to fill the lengthening silence. “We’re not interested in landing good assignments. We’re interested in obtaining diamonds of a specific size and quality.”

“Why?”

“Does it matter?”

She considered. “No. Tell me what you want and I’ll find it for you.”

“No. I have to see what is available. I can’t quantify our needs with numbers, but with feelings.” I waited for the inevitable disbelief.

But her posture softened and she grew wistful. “I understand. I’ve been a jeweler all my life and there are certain gems that just…speak to me.”

Unable to stifle my curiosity, I asked, “Why are you selling black market diamonds then?”

“The Commander of Ixia gives us so few stones I can’t meet the demands of my customers. When I was offered a chance to bring in more, I jumped. If not, I would have lost business.”

“Do the other jewelers sell them, too?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I suspect they do.”

“Does the Helper’s Guild know?”

“We’ve been doing business decades longer than the Guild. If you need a Guild member to help you shop, then you’re not a loyal customer and not worth risking discovery.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”

“You’re not the only one taking a risk. For all I know you could be working with the Sitian authorities.”

“The same could be said of you.” The saleswoman regarded me as if she were assessing the quality of a gemstone. “What’s your name?”

“Opal Cowan.” I couldn’t think of any reason to lie and any hesitation would increase her suspicion.

She cocked her head to the side. “The glass magician. No wonder you spotted the fakes.” She gestured to Pazia. “This is what you’re doing now? Making sure your friend doesn’t get conned? I thought the Master Magicians would have something better for you to do.”

“I’m still in school.”

The saleswoman nodded as if she understood. “All right. My supplier is delivering stones in the next couple of days. I’ll ask him about your request and we’ll see what we can do for you. Stop back in four days. Come to the rear door before the lamplighters get to the lanterns in the alley.”

“Thank you…?” Is topped, realizing I didn’t know her name.

“Elita Jewelrose.”

Elita escorted us to the back entrance of her store. In the alley we heard the click of multiple locks. Pazia and I walked to the Keep. The hour had grown late. Only a few people hustled along the empty streets. For a while the silence hung heavy between us.

A few blocks from the Keep, Pazia said in a churlish tone, “You can try to tell everyone I was surprised by the men who attacked us, and I was completely sucked in by the saleswoman. But no one will believe you.” She was right.

I laughed. “You can pretend all you want, but without me you would be wearing a gaudy piece of glass on your finger. I know it and you know it. I don’t need to tell anyone else.”

“You don’t have anyone to tell anyway. You think you’re so much better than the rest of us—we’re not worth your time.”

I stopped. “Hold on. You’re the one who thinks she’s so powerful and special.”

“No. I don’t think. I know. I am more powerful than all my classmates and teachers. But I treat everyone equally. I’ve made friends.”

“Equally? What a laugh. You’ve been nasty to me since the first day!”

“That’s because you thought you were too good for us. All you did was help the Soulfinder imprison the Warpers and you were lavished with special attention. And for what?” Pazia rounded on me. “One deed. One trick. No other talents and you just admitted to being a betrayer. You don’t deserve to be a student at the Keep. You’ve been given a free ride. And you didn’t even have the decency to be humble about your good fortune. No. You expected it and expected everyone to fawn over you. Well, I wasn’t going to do it.” With a grunt of disgust, Pazia strode up the street.

I hurried after her. My thoughts swirled in my mind. I didn’t act as if I deserved special treatment. What did she expect me to do? Leave the Keep? She slowed and I almost ran into her.

“Seems you have someone fooled by your noble routine.” Pazia pointed to a dark shape.

A person waited by the Keep’s gates. As we came closer, his features and agitation grew clearer. I steeled myself for the unavoidable lecture.

Ulrick shot Pazia a sharp look. “You trust her to keep you safe?”