Page 53 of Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours

The Roots of the First Binding was sold for seven hundred and fifty thousand gildens.

During the applause, Cassia leaned in, her voice low. “There’s no chance it’s a fake?”

“Every item goes through a rigorous verification process. Authenticity’s not a concern.”

They watched a few relics get auctioned off until the one he’d been waiting for finally floated down to the dais.

“Next, a very special relic: the Lens of Unseeing. It does not show you what you wish to see, but what was. Every moment of pure, unedited truth, drawn from the memory of a place itself. The Lens brings those memories to the surface, clear as if you were standing there in that very moment. An invaluable tool for historians.”

Gently, he nudged Cassia, giving the case a pointed glance. Her eyes widened.

Leaning back, he assumed the picture of casual interest, but his mind sharpened. Alderrath’s presence here was useful. The Sanguine’s weaknesses were well-known: paranoia, hunger for control, the desperate need to be on top. If Ark showed the slightest interest in the artifact, Alderrath wouldn’t see history. He’d see leverage—something to use, to hoard, to beat Ark with.

What a fool. No one knew the Lens was one of Aegis & Ash’s most remarkable recoveries. A nightmare to cleanse, but an interesting one to study. It had taken them years to split it successfully without compromising the magic.

And now, its twin lay in the secure vault inside their office.

Selling the other half anonymously through the auction was the perfect way to funnel a massive amount of capital back into their operations. And if he could manipulate his most detested rival into being the buyer . . . all the better.

The bidding opened at a quarter-million gildens. It climbed quickly. Alderrath remained silent, watching. Ark waited until the bidding stalled at four hundred thousand. Then, he lifted his hand, giving a subtle, almost bored signal.

“Four hundred and fifty thousand,” the auctioneer announced, indicating Ark’s platform. “From Lord Varil Arkenoth.”

A ripple went through the crowd. Of course it did. The Daemar’s son entering the fray was bound to draw attention. Soon, others would start wondering if they should follow.

From the corner of his eye, Ark saw Alderrath’s head turn slightly. A predator noticing another in its hunting grounds.

The bids climbed again. Five hundred. Five-fifty.

Ark raised his hand once more. “Six hundred thousand.”

This time, Alderrath didn’t wait. “Six-fifty,” his voice rang out, cool and confident, cutting off another bidder.

There you are, Ark thought. He let a beat of tense silence pass, then offered a slight, almost reluctant nod.

“Seven hundred thousand from Lord Arkenoth.”

“Seven-fifty,” Alderrath countered immediately, a challenge in his tone.

Ark made a show of leaning toward Cassia, murmuring something inconsequential about the price of historical artifacts. He let the pause stretch, letting Alderrath stew in his own competitive fury.

Then, he considered his options. He must be cautious. If Alderrath didn’t take the bait, Aegis & Ash would be paying out of pocket for something that was theirs to begin with—and neither Caius nor Rhodes would let him forget it.

He turned and gave a single, decisive nod to the attendant.

“Eight hundred thousand.”

The number hung in the air—obscene and magnificent all at once. Other bidders put their hands away, shaking their heads discreetly at the auctioneer. Ark held his breath. He had set this exquisite trap, but he had also backed himself into a corner. Now, Alderrath could either let him bleed at this astronomical price, or . . .

“One million,” Alderrath’s voice rang out.

A stunned silence fell. Then a wave of excited whispers erupted through the hall. The auctioneer beamed, and his gavel struck with a final thud.

“Sold! To Agmon Alderrath, for one million gildens!”

Ark didn’t smile, but the relief was cold ice down his back. He put a little scowl on his face, sullen—the picture of a sore loser. But inside, triumph crackled like lightning on water. He had just coaxed Agmon Alderrath into pouring a fortune straight into Aegis & Ash’s coffers.

And the fool thought he’d won.