juggling the vials for all to see,” I say with an eyeroll, pulling a hard plastic case from the bag. I click the latches open and lift the top to reveal five clear vials nestled in their foam padded spots. Each one glows with contained threads of maz, coiled as tight as each strain allows. Our very last haul. Thick bronze terraz, sparking green vitaz, some of the same hazy purple obscuraz Ania used earlier.
Mattie picks up each one and inspects them all carefully, like he’s some kind of master maz connoisseur. I bite the inside of my lip to hold in a sigh of annoyance. A less obnoxious client would have been a much nicer way to end our siphoning career together. So much for going out in a grand blaze of glory, walking off into the sunset with our riches as a team, the latest overplayed graduation anthem seeing us off.
Then again, this group has always been a mess, and I’m pretty sure it’s my fault.
Epic Group Chat: LAST JOB EVER Edition
Remi: Are you dead, Dizzy?
Ania, are they killing her?
Ania: Remains to be seen. She’s getting fussy. Will report back.
Fussy? I burn a hole in the side of Ania’s face with my glare. I’m actually going to be forced to murder her.
Jaesin: I call dibs on her deck
Remi: Please, she probably has that thing programmed to self-destruct if she dies
You know what she’s got on there
Jaesin: No, I don’t
and I don’t want to
The corner of my mouth pulls up in a half smile. I quite enjoy this reputation of mine, at least partially deserved. My files are largely boring records of which public officials are breaking their spousal agreements, local celebrities’ secret dating profiles, and the internet search histories of Kyrkarta’s most prominent business leaders. I suppose some people might find it valuable information, but gathering it all is just a way to keep myself entertained when I can’t sleep.
“Oi, what’s with this one?” Mattie snaps, pulling my attention away from the group chat. He holds one of the vials of obscuraz between his thumb and middle finger, tilting it this way and that to let the light filter through the strands. I see what he means. It’s a notably different shade than the other vials of the same maz, like a few of the threads have turned a brighter violet-purple.
“Did you bring me contaminated maz?” he says, shoving the vial in my face. My stomach turns, and I jerk away, putting the table between us.
“That’s what came out of the tap point, Mattie,” I shoot back, working to keep my expression under control. “We went where you told us. MMC’s pipes are clean. It’s not contaminated.”
Even as I say it, as I know it’s true, the worry begins to boil in my stomach. Remi is the only one who ever has contact with the maz we siphon off from MMC’s pipes, and they were diagnosed with the spellplague when they were eight. Would they even know if the maz was contaminated? It’s not like you can get infected again if you’re already ill.
Mattie growls and puts the vial down with the others. “I’m only paying half for that one, and if it is contaminated, I’ll put the word out, believe it.”
Ania meets my gaze, then looks at the ceiling, her subtle way of rolling her eyes among company. We’re never working a job again period, no matter how much I might want to, so he can shove his empty threats.
“Fine, yes, half for that one vial,” I say. “Can we please close this deal now? We’ve got places to be.”
Mattie scowls but pulls out his deck and sets to work on the credit transfer. A moment later, a transaction notification pops up on my lenses. Payment cleared. Our bank account once again has more than two digits.
“Pleasure doing business,” I say, throwing the vial case back in my bag and walking away, Ania on my heels, before Mattie can find another excuse to complain. As I reach the elevator, I bring the group chat back on-lens with a grin.
Epic Group Chat: LAST JOB EVER Edition
you: Against everyone’s better judgment, he did not kill me.
We have our money
Remi: DIZZY YESSSSSSS
SHE LIVES
Jaesin: Thank god, now we can CELEBRATE
Ania: Let the Grand Farewell Tour commence!
you: You all were in mortal peril today too, you know
Ania: Yeah, but we don’t inspire murdery feelings in everyone we meet
Remi: Yikes, shots fired
I shove Ania’s shoulder, and the elevator fills with our laughter. I