Chapter 96

Cressida

The artifact seller wanted twice the agreed amount.

Cressida paid him anyway.

Money could be replaced.

Time could not.

He placed the narrow wooden box on the table between them.

“Never opened.”

She smiled.

“Of course not.”

He shifted.

“You don’t believe me.”

“No.”

The man looked offended.

That bored her.

Cressida opened the box.

Inside lay a silver chain blackened with age.

Symbols ran along each link.

Old lunar script.

Incomplete.

Crude compared with temple work.

Still useful.

Her pulse quickened.

“Where did you find it?”

“You said no questions.”

“I changed my mind.”

He hesitated.

“Estate sale.”

She looked up.

He looked away.

Liar.

Probably grave theft.

She didn’t care.

“How old?”

“Two hundred years. Maybe more.”

Better.

Cressida touched the chain.

Magic