In a blur of motion, he caught her wrist, twisted, and pinned her against the heavy oak table. The breath left her lungs as he leaned in close, his eyes alight with a predatory intensity.

"You want the stone?" he whispered, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw with agonizing slowness. "Everything has a price in this city. And I think I've just found something much more valuable to trade for than gold."

She dropped, silent as a ghost, landing inches behind his velvet chair. Her blade was at his throat before he could blink.