But the warmth between them seemed to irritate Paj. He rolled his shoulders like he had the urge to punch something.
Ezra ignored him, leaning in closer to Auster as he spoke. “Might not have been a good idea to bring him. Henrik will be here any minute.”
“Good luck getting him out of here,” Auster muttered.
But Ezra’s easiness disappeared, his edges sharpening as his attention landed on me. He recognized me almost immediately. “What is she doing here?”
“She’s a friend,” Auster answered.
“You sure about that? I just saw her at Holland’s.”
“I’m sure.” Auster set a hand on Ezra’s shoulder. “How are you?”
Ezra had a hard time pulling his gaze from me. “I’m fine, Aus.”
Auster didn’t seem convinced, leaning low to catch Ezra’s eyes.
“Good,” Ezra pressed. “I’m good.”
Auster gave a nod, accepting the answer. “We have a commission for you.”
Ezra surveyed him skeptically before he went back to the desk. “What kind of commission?”
“One we know you can do,” I interrupted.
Ezra’s hand froze on the book in front of him at the sound of my voice. The lantern light cast the scars on his hands silver. I pulled the parchment I’d prepared from my jacket and unfolded it, setting it before him.
Ezra’s eyes ran over it slowly, widening. “Is this a joke?”
The door behind him flung open, slamming against the wall, and I jolted, taking a step back. The flash of steel glinted in West’s hand beside me.
An older man stood in the opening, one hand tucked into the pocket of a leather apron. His mustache was curled up on the ends, his hair combed neatly to one side. Pale blue eyes shone from beneath bushy eyebrows as they jumped from me to Paj, finally landing on Auster.
“Ah,” he crooned, a wide smile breaking on his lips. But it was missing the warmth that Ezra’s had. “Tru said the lost Roth darling was sitting in my parlor. I told him it wasn’t possible. That my nephew wouldn’t have the guts to show up here as long as he lived.”
“Guess you were wrong,” Auster said, meeting his gaze coolly.
“I see you brought your benefactor.” Henrik looked to Paj. “Happy to re-break that nose. Maybe we can get it straight this time.”
“Only one way to find out,” Paj growled, moving toward him.
Auster caught him in the chest with the flat of his palm, and Henrik laughed, taking a pipe from the shelf. “Thought you were done with the Roths, Auster.”
“I am. That doesn’t mean I can’t do business with them.”
Henrik arched an eyebrow curiously. “What business could you possibly have that we would want?”
Auster jerked his chin to the parchment on the desk and Henrik picked it up. “What the—”
“Can you do it or not?” Auster barked.
“Of course we can. The question is, why the hell would we?” Henrik laughed.
“Name your price,” I said, ready to negotiate.
Henrik narrowed his eyes at me. “Who’d you bring into my house, Auster?” The timber of his voice was verging on dangerous.
“I’m Fable. Holland’s granddaughter. And I’m looking for a silversmith.”
Henrik looked down his nose at me. “There is no price I’d take for that commission. Crossing Holland will put an end to our business in Bastian. For good.”
“What if I told you that Holland won’t be your problem anymore?”
“Then I’d tell you that you’re as stupid as you are pretty,” Henrik taunted. “I’d make more coin telling Holland you were here than I would off of your commission.”
It was exactly what I’d been afraid he’d say. There was no reason for him to trust me and there was nothing I could offer him that would be more valuable than what Holland could. He’d be taking more than one chance by helping us.
My eyes trailed around the room. Peeling wallpaper, expensive candlesticks, the finest tailored jacket hanging on a rusted hook. Henrik was like Zola. A man trying to be something he never could. Not until he had one thing.
“Do this commission and I’ll give you what Holland can’t,” I said.
Henrik’s smile faded, replaced by a tick in his jaw. “And what is that?”
I stared at him. “A merchant’s ring.” The words withered in my mouth as I said them. There was no way to know if I could actually deliver. But if anyone could get one, it would be Saint.
Merchants had to apprentice for years before they could make a bid for a ring. And there were only so many rings to be given from each guild. Often, merchants were working beneath an older one, waiting for