“Such insignificant-looking things,” Oddon remarked, hovering over the fruits of his son’s theft.

  They were all in the basement, clouds of condensation misting up the air as Odiggan closed the freezer.

  From the back, a wretch watched; he'd only be paid after Oddon confirmed the blood worked.

  Tapping the cup once, the ice within returned to water, the caterpillars squirming around.

  Carefully, he slid the lid from the vial containing the blood sample delivered to him, before holding it upside down over the creatures.

  Two drops met with the water, the caterpillars freezing up as silk emerged from their mouths.

  “They're pupating.” Said Zariatha beside him.

  They were indeed pupating, the silk rapidly cocooning their bodies and filling the cup.

  “How long will this be?” Oddon asked.

  “According to what I’ve read, it takes a sprite caterpillar an hour to complete its metamorphosis,” Odiggan answered, stepping to Oddon’s side. “But it may also differ with certain breeds. I can't tell what breed these were cultivated from.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “It’s working, right?” White asked in the back. “Now that you have what you need, let’s discuss the payment.”

  Oddon tore his pockets empty and threw the money across the basement at the fool. The paperbills fluttered to the floor at White’s feet.

  White snickered. “Mate, you don't have to be disrespectful. What? Did you expect me to wait until after dinner to bring up the reason I'm even bothering to do your chores? You're acting like a foreign wench upset I'm trying to sleep with her, as if there's any other reason I'd be at her house after the first date.”

  Oddon scowled. “Oh, just take the money and piss off, won't you?”

  “No, how's about you show some respect and hand it to me man to man.”

  “Why don't you make me?”

  Friction burned in the air where their gazes clashed.

  “These men and their pride,” Zariatha sighed before moving in between them and squatting to collect the money from the dusty wooden boards.

  “Thank you, kind Mrs,” White said, smirking, taking the money from her after she got up.

  “We'll need you for another job now.” She said.

  Oddon’s scowl twisted deeper. “We will?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now we have to get the boy killed.”

  Oddon wondered.

  Zariatha continued, explaining, “Now that we've blacklisted him, he'll be forced into obscurity. He’ll have to take on scum mage jobs, throwing him into the underworld, where many chances will arise to kill him in a way that doesn't connect to us. It may be some time before the perfect opportunity comes. Until then, keep an eye on him for us, White darling.”