Page 22 of A Forgery of Fate

I held the scroll back. “I need this sold today. It’s urgent. Tell me you have the time, the means, the contacts. Otherwise, I’ll have to find someone else.”

Gaari’s brow furrowed. “What’s the matter? Who is threatening you?”

I shook my head. “Third rule.”

“Blast the third rule. If you’re in trouble, then—” He drew a deep breath. “Give me a few hours. I can get help.”

How much help?I wanted to ask, touched by the offer. Over the years, Gaari had proved to be as much a friend as a business associate. But I held back. Madam Yargui was the city’s most feared crime lord. Her men slit throats for sport, while Gaari…Gaari’s hired hands were actors. Better at rolling noodles than throwing punches.

“Can you sell today or not?” I said.

Gaari looked pensive. “It’s the Ghost Festival. Might be hard to find a buyer while everyone’s at the temples praying to the dead.”

My shoulders fell as I started to rise. “Then I’ll have to try someone else—”

“Sit,” said Gaari, pulling me back into the chair. “How much money do you need?”

“Eighteen thousand. By sundown.”

Gaari gave a low whistle. He set aside his noodles. “That is a considerable ask indeed. Some would say impossible.” He stroked his beard. “But…”

“But?”

“But I have an idea.” Gaari’s voice dropped, and he leaned forward. “There’s a young lord who comes and goes from Gangsun. You’ve heard of the Demon Prince?”

“No.” Unlike Gaari, who hobnobbed with everyone he saw, I had no patience for gossip.

“He occupies the fourth mansion on Oyang Street, right next to Governor Renhai, but he’s a recluse. Richer than a king with the manners of a beast. Anyone who so much as steps into the shadow of his property either lands in jail orgoes missing. I hear he put two magistrates in his dungeon for trying to pay him a visit.”

“What a ridiculous title,” I said. “Why do they call him the Demon Prince?”

“Because everywhere he goes, he wears a demon mask.”

“A demon mask?” Now, that was interesting. “What for?”

“Because he’s ugly.” Gaari laughed. “Well, that’s my theory. Some say he’s a monster. Or an actual demon.”

“He can look like a goose for all I care, so long as he’s rich. Could I sell the painting to him?”

“Not to him, but to Renhai.”

“The governor?”

Gaari gave a sly nod. “Renhai despises him for snubbing an invitation to his daughter’s wedding,” he confided. “If he learns that the Demon Prince is interested in your work, hemayjust want to buy it.”

“You mean he’d buy it out of spite.”

“One of life’s greatest motivations.”

I bit down on my lip, considering. “I don’t know…. We’ve always tried to stay away from government boars before. Are you sure you want to get close to the king pig?”

“Trust me, it’ll work,” said Gaari. “I’ll go myself to make an introduction. I’ll knock on every house on Oyang Street if I have to.”

I thought about the ring with the nine pearls. Such a jewelwouldbelong to someone who lived on Oyang Street. Especially someone like Renhai. “You can really do it?”

“Depends on your dragon.”

“See for yourself.” I set down the scroll and untied the ribbon. “It still needs a seal, but I trust that you can helpme…”

---