Han shook his head. “No, but I can go get it.” He turned toward the door.

“No, no,” Taz said hastily. “As a matter of fact, the buyer is on his way here now. Serendipitous, isn’t it? That you’re here, and he’s coming?” He wet his lips.

Han was confused. “But it does no good if I don’t have the amulet,” he said.

“My client is most anxious to meet you,” Taz said. “He has some questions about the piece. I’ll collect my commission, and you can take him to get it.”

“I’d rather do business here.” Han knew well the risks of selling swag in back alleys. “I can be home and back in no time.”

“It was at home all along, then?”

Something in Taz’s voice set off alarm bells in Han’s head. He hadn’t lived so long by ignoring his instincts.

“What do you mean?” he demanded. “Why do you ask?”

“Nothing, nothing,” the dealer said, mopping sweat from his brow with the rag he’d used to wipe off the desk. “I just wondered where you’d hidden it is all.”

Before Taz could move or say another word, Han had him pressed against the wall with a knife at his throat. “What did you tell the buyer, Taz?” Han asked softly.

“N-nothing. I…just described the piece, and he said it sounded like something he’d want to buy. That’s all. I swear by the blood and bones of our sainted queens.”

“Did you tell him where I live?” Han demanded.

“I never did, I swear it,” Taz babbled. “He found out some other way.”

“Who’s the buyer?” Han whispered, fear pricking him all over. “Who is it?”

“A rich man. A wizard,” Taz squeaked. “You wouldn’t know him.”

“Who?” Han pressed the tip of his knife into Taz’s skin.

Just then the bell over the door sounded again. Startled, Han turned his head just as the door opened.

A man stood in the doorway. His expensive clothes and arrogant carriage said he was a rich man. His long stoles and the amulet that hung from a chain around his neck said he was a wizard. His mane of silver hair was streaked with wizard color.

Taz saw his chance, and took it. The dealer flung himself sideways, away from Han’s knife, and scrambled on hands and knees across the floor toward the back door. The wizard in the doorway extended a hand lazily, touched the amulet at his neck, and spoke a word.

Flame exploded from his fingertips and engulfed Taz Mackney. The dealer’s body twitched and shuddered for a moment, then lay still, smoking. The stench of burning flesh stung Han’s nose, and he fought back the urge to vomit.