Whether it was the drugs or some ring-induced trance, the Appraiser wouldn't answer any more questions. She also wouldn't return the diamond, holding it to her chest and cooing, "Beware the blood."

Drio flashed over to her and froze. His forehead wrinkled and he balled up one fist, glancing at me. Then with a half-swallowed curse, he slammed his hand on her left hip and fired his Rasha magic into her.

She gasped and disappeared in a shower of gold dust, dead.

His ...