I can live here. Here is fine. I just need a place to call my own. A place to feel safe, where no one can see me. For now, a room at an inn will do.

But first, we need to sell this weapon without drawing attention to ourselves. We find the nearest pawnshop, and now the four of us huddle in the gap between the building and the chandler next door.

“It’s simple,” Temra says. “I’ll go in and sell the spear.”

“You can’t,” Petrik says before I can. “Neither you nor your sister can be seen with a magical weapon. Any of her spies will be on the lookout for women carrying Zivan blades.”

“I agree,” Kellyn says. “Kymora already knows we were headed in this direction. If your relatives didn’t tell her, then the sudden loss of her invisible soldiers would have clued her in. There could easily be people in the city looking for you.”

“It’s my weapon,” I say, ignoring them. “I’m the most qualified to sell it and get the most money from the sale.” It will be uncomfortable. I loathe negotiating, but selling this spear will set us up for months. I can do this for us.

“If I can’t be risked selling it, then neither can you,” Temra says with finality.

“I could take it in,” Petrik says.

Temra, Kellyn, and I all eye Petrik. He’s so uncomfortable outside of his scholar’s attire. And the way he holds himself—he looks nothing like a fighter.

“If you walk in there, the vultures will eat you alive.” The mercenary shakes his head. “And you were seen by their family.” He points to Temra and me with his thumb. “By now the warlord could know you’re with them. You shouldn’t be the one to enter.”

“But that leaves—” I start.

“Me,” Kellyn finishes. “It has to be me. I’m the only one not under suspect. No one will think twice about me selling a magical weapon because I’m actually a mercenary, and I look the part.”

“Absolutely not,” Petrik says. He grabs my arm to pull me aside. “I don’t trust him. He’ll run off with the money from the sale and leave us behind.”

“I can still hear you,” Kellyn says.

“Ziva, let me do it,” Petrik says.

“Just let me do it,” Temra puts in. “I’ll be in and out in two minutes, tops.”

If we weren’t in such a hurry, perhaps I would take the time to ponder the fact that everyone is deferring to me. When did my decision become the final say in the matter? When did I become the leader of this poorly-stitched-together group?

“Ziva—” Petrik starts.

“Enough,” I say.

I put my fingers to my temples, as though that will help me think. I’d rather be the one to take this risk. If anyone is going to get caught, it should be me.

But if I’m caught, I’ll leave Temra on her own, protecting that Twins-forsaken sword.

“Kellyn will do it. He hasn’t gone back on his word. Not once.” I force myself to look him in the eye. “Do you promise to sell this spear and return the earnings to us?”