"Since the Hayes family is eager to pay the silver upfront, we will follow the Elder Protocol," Gregory stated, his voice clipping with authority. "Sign the lineage-bond. The orb stays active until the final polish. Every shard you brought will be catalogued now so there is no 'confusion' when the Luna returns them."

Stella’s face twisted, a flash of genuine loathing crossing her features, but she scrawled her mark and stormed out. Avery carefully gathered the turquoise fragments—which hummed with a strange, oily resonance—and retreated to the safety of the second floor.

"Taking the work back to the High-Hall?" Gregory asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Avery shook her head. She...