Me: The apothecary will give us what we want…something to disorient and lightning poison, but she’s demanding a trade.

It only takes a second before responses pop up on my screen.

Aarya: LIGHTNING POISON!!! Do whatever it takes to get it. I don’t care if you have to sell your right eyeball.

Ash: What kind of a trade?

Me: Maura’s necklace. Who’s Maura?

For a brief second the responses stop, like maybe they’re talking among themselves.

Ash: Matteo’s mother.

I almost drop my phone on the sidewalk. My mom’s name was Matilde and Aunt Jo’s real name was Magdalene. It wouldn’t be surprising if their sister also has an M name. For a few moments I stand there frozen, and when I look back down at my screen there are more messages.

Aarya: Damn it. There’s no time to track her down. Will the apothecary accept anything else?

Aarya: ???

Me: No. Maura’s here in London. The apothecary told me where she’s eating.

Aarya: Then why are you texting us instead of finding her???

Ash: Restaurants are common fronts for Strategia properties. If the apothecary knows she’s at one, then there are likely other Bears there. It’s not safe. Come back to the apartment. We’ll figure out another way.

Aarya: Oh no we won’t. We need that poison.

Ash: She’s not going to a Bear property to steal from a head Bear, Aarya. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Look at how Matteo reacted to her.

Aarya: If you wanted to be safe Ash then you should have stayed home. I’ll do it if you’re too scared. Give me the address.

I press my chapped lips together and look around me. Two doors down is a bodega, and before I even settle on a decision, I head toward it. I don’t want to give Aarya my aunt’s location so she can steal from her. I know it doesn’t make sense to withhold it, since Aarya would likely be better at getting the necklace. Also, I’ve never met Maura, and Ash is probably right that it’s not safe. But Matteo told me his mom loved her sisters and that matters to me; so if anyone stands a shot at getting the necklace, it’s me, and it won’t be by stealing. I push the door to the bodega open and walk up to the counter.

“Can I help you?” the old man says.

“Do you have a phone book by any chance?” I ask.

He looks at my phone and then back at me. “No.”

“No Wi-Fi,” I say, holding up my phone as explanation.

“What are you looking for?” he asks. “Maybe I know.”