house apartment he owned in Greenwich Village. It was discreet, secur

," he said, setting down the last of th

everything," Analia said

he replied, his expression serious. "I'm

, their hushed whispers a form of reconnaissance. Ella found a spot by the large picture window o

Her revenge required resources, and for that,

ail location, and second, to meet with a reclusive but legendary gem cutter who kept an

e was that the vibrant, artistic atmosphere there might provide her w

art and rare geological specimens. Most of the attendees were stuffy, self-proclaimed

xactly how s

lump of rock in a dusty corner. It was dark, unremarkable, about the size of a small melon. A simple tag

ed sigh, presented the lot, the

st? Very w

ed her numb

surprised. A low murmur

aby Finch, chuckled audibly. "My dear lady," he said, his voice condescending, "that is a worth

m, her gaze fixed

l came down. "Sold, to the lady

er, their curiosity mixed with amusement. "I must ask," Finch said, a s

. She knelt down and spoke softly to he

y put her hand

e crowd watched, bewildered, as she expertly turned the rock over in her hands, tapping i

the hammer, a small piece of t

he penlight in

stone, a soft, ethereal glow emanated. It was the color of a t

voice calm and clear

. And inside is a near-flawless Padparadscha sapphire. Judging by

blossom" sapphire. One of the rarest, most valuable gems on eart

d red. He had just publicly dismissed a king's

rowded forward, their faces a mixture

y. She simply took Ella's hand,

softly, her mission acco

-