The Silver Fingers of Heaven, what a pretentious name for a group of painted women. Eve thought shifting expertly through the information gained with Nota while also chatting with Lily on the best colors to wear. After taking the bribe of a lifetime, Dan was in the process of resigning. Remaining inside the store after selling customer information would be unhealthy in quite a few ways. This group operates from four main locations in the city, which means there is likely a fifth location acting as headquarters somewhere. Perhaps the City of Gold?

Eve decided to tap two of her most potent resources for information. If she could avoid stepping on the toes of a giant while solving this problem all the better. To operate a group like the Silver Fingers of Heaven required a certain finesse of the local elements of government. Guards would have needed to be paid off or compensated in other ways. City officials would had to be lured into bed through gold or guilt. Best to make sure there were no messy strings attached before she splashed blood all over the scene.

Nota, contact Francesco R. Nausseu and Jeffery T. Wellington. Check up on the Silver Fingers. I want to know how well connected the opponents are before I make a move. Eve sent to her paper ally.

Moments later the response arrived from Nota. The Silver Fingers have a few minor connections to opponents of Jeffery. Francesco had never heard of them, but I bet he’s researching them even as we speak.

Eve flicked a piece of paper into her palm burning a message into it with dust before sending it along the communication line to Jeffery. When a response arrived moments later she glanced down at the paper slip before allowing it to disintegrate to dust. The response had been simple, and without surprise.

I will run interference from my end.

Please keep blood off the carpets if possible.

With that assurance in place, Eve knew that any actions she took were sanctioned. She could have charged in and taken care of things without a word, but that might have put her business partner’s nose out of joint at the disrespect implied. By giving Jeffery T. Wellington a heads up, the drow merchant understood she valued his opinion. By giving the nod with the second line, the Silver Fingers were left to hang in the winds of fate. The drow would likely take advantage of any weakness exposed by those behind the Silver Fingers. Which would in turn muddle the waters making it easier to handle the situation.

Eve helped Lily pick out a fluffy pink dress with more frills than some lizard species. At the same time she held a mental meeting with her allies Nota, Hut, Felix, and Kudzu. With a high enough intelligence and wisdom stat, true multi-tasking was possible these days.

I can’t take action personally. Eve sent as she twirled Lily before tickling her mercilessly.

I’m busy making potions, I can’t do it. Kudzu replied.

I’m busy reading, I can’t do it. Nota said without guilt.

I’ll take care of it. Felix said.

Eve, Nota, and Kudzu gave a mental glance at the sparkling sapphire crystal floating at the table, and then at the tiny miniature Hut next to it before rolling their eyes or equivalent sensory organs.

It’s not like I’m going to force my home to become a murder house. Eve said without heat.

I simply need test subjects for the Dungeon. Felix said with an innocent tone.

Eve gave a mental shrug. Do you need me to do anything?

Just place me within the building. I can do the rest. Felix replied.

Ok, we’ll have the Hut take care of the kiddies. Eve sent. Do you think we should wake up any of the Sleepers?

Mice. Kudzu sent throwing his towel in the vote.

Mice. Hut replied adding weight.

Mice. Nota commented with supreme sagacity.

Eve glanced at the floating sapphire crystal which true to form followed his beloved.

Mice. Felix sent sparkling as he said it.

Right then. I can see when I’m outnumbered. Eve sent. We’ll wake the Elemental Mice up first then after this issue is handled.

Stepping out of the mind conference, Eve devoted her full attention to helping Lily choose styles of dress. Elizabeth was a talented seamstress who crafted each dress on the spot. White, blue, pink, and purple dresses tailored to perfection joined along with boots, gloves, hats, scarves without fail. Each outfit was further crafted in separate types of fabric from spider spun silk to dyed wyvern leather. Eve went slightly overboard as the chance to dress up a cute munchkin also helped her relief quite a bit of stress.

Once everything was finished after a few hours, Eve paid the bill. Lily was tired from all the excitement even with the temptation of delicious food soon. Mark on the other hand appeared to have gained even more energy after being properly outfitted to look like a well to do youth once more. Floating the munchkin while appearing to carry her on one arm, Eve used Spatial Step once outside the luxury clothing shop.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The restaurant they arrived in front of gave a delightful scent of spices, and provided an aroma of enticing food. There was a maître d' at the door who took a glance at the two children before giving a subtle approving nod. It was clear the upgrade in clothing shifted their position in society quite a few ranks up.

“Reservation?” the maître d' asked politely.

Eve smiled and said, “Of course.”

There was a soft exchange of coins before the maître d' smiled widely and said, “Right this way please. Would you prefer a window seat or something quieter?”

“A window will be fine.” Eve said following behind the sharply dressed serving staff. When they arrived at the tabled booth alcove a pleasant surprise appeared. The window on the wall was enchanted with dimensional magic to show cities across the known world. Each display had a piece of printed artwork denoting the location of what was shown.

Eve glanced at the current fantastic display reading, City of Brass, Plane of Fire in bold print. The view panned through the city like a documentary camera displaying elemental beings clothed in fantastic garb from robes to tunics. Jewelry adorned almost every available skin surface from bracelets to earrings and more. Eve noted a distinction in that those with more gold jewelry and gems were clearly higher in social standing. Turning away from the picture she saw both children enchanted by the window.

“Are you going to people watch, or order food?” Eve asked.

The City of Brass immediately lost the interest of both children as their stomachs proceeded to remind them of the truly important issues. A waiter arrived as soon as the children picked up their intricate leather-bound menus as if summoned.

“Order whatever you want, money is the least of my worries.” Eve said at the pleading eyes of both children. “However, you cannot order onlydesserts.”

The heartbroken expression on Lily and Mark’s faces made Eve smirk. After the children placed their orders, she chose a three course meal featuring each of the three monster tribes as well as an iced cake slice. The picture shifted from the City of Brass to the City of Water as the waiter departed. Both children’s gazes were once more drawn to the wider world displayed and Eve took the time to look out among the other diners.

Witch’s Dustallowed her to see each of the diners and Eve frowned as she noticed a group of four women paying more attention to her table than polite. As soon as she could see their gazes were focused primarily on Lily, Eve’s own silver eyes flashed with a cold light. A closer investigation of eavesdropping allowed her to hear their conversation.

”I’m telling you, that’s the Madame’s little future pet! We need to do something, Opal!”

“So what? Are you going to charge over there and demand that blonde bombshell hand them over? Don’t be absurd, Sapphire. She’s wearing a classic La’Raunt tailored dress that costs more than all four of us make in a decade.”

“Indeed, if you want to commit suicide, please do so on your own time separate from us, Sapphire.”

“Screw you Ruby!”

“I’m afraid you can’t afford it dear, drug habits are expensive after all.

“We should at least inform the Madame, right?”

“Emerald, if the Madame didn’t already know the situation would you wantto be the one informing her?”

“Good point...”

“We still have to do something or when she does find out the fact that we did nothing will be just as bad.”

Eve’s eyes twitched as she realized the use of gems as names for certain professions seemed to be more prevalent than she had first thought. Regard the group of women she opted for a simple solution to remove them. A quick twist of will and a fetid stench erupted from the booth the four women were sitting at. As time passed the scent became increasingly worse although Eve made sure her Witch’s Dust filtered the air before it reached her two charges.

After barely ten seconds the maître d' along with two security personal and what appeared to be a female manager approached the four women’s booth. There was a short sharp discussion before the manager put her foot down and allowed her security guards to loom closer. Eve watched as the four women caved, paying their bill, before departing in a hurry. As soon as the four left, she cleared the air with another twist of will removing the disgusting scent. The female manager glanced in her direction before whispering words to the maître d' and departing.

The maître d' gently made his way over to the table and upon arrival said, “Thank you for cleaning the air, Madam. The house will discount your meal by ten percent.”

“Think nothing of it, I simply couldn’t stand the smell.” Eve said with a graceful smile and a wave of her hand. As soon as the maître d' left Mark asked, “What happened?”

“Ah, there were some pests releasing a foul stench. I helped clear the air, that’s all.” Eve said before continuing, “Were you aware you sister was being targeted recently?”

Mark nodded and said, “The Silver Fingers of Heaven. They want her as a personal healer and specialistworker. I tried approaching the local authorities but my words had no effect.”

“Likely the people you approached were either bribed, or compensated in another manner.” Eve said as the appetizers appeared carried by a fit waiter who distributed the dishes with due haste.

“Compensated?” Mark said before flushing slightly as he grasped what Eve meant. Glancing at his sister, Mark said, “Why would they want my sister though? Surely it is more cost effective to use professional healers?”

Eve nodded as she tucked into her fried pickles with hot mustard sauce. She crunched through a few before saying, “There is a subset of people who due to one reason or another enjoy using small children in that manner. The fact that she can heal is an added bonus for an even smaller subsection of those types.”

Mark noticed his sister didn’t react and said, “Lily are you ok?”

“She can’t hear us. I’ve sealed the air around her head. There are some things children don’t need to know. If she talks the barrier will pop, but as she’s busy eating with gusto that likely won’t happen.” Eve said watching the munchkin turn into a mutant omnivore. “The Silver Fingers of Heaven are connected to the Merchant Royals in the City of Gold. Normally that would make them untouchable, but fortunate for you I’m better connected.”

Mark’s expression turned shocked as Eve continued and said, “I have permission from the Dark Prince to act as I desire.”

“T-The Dark P-Prince?” Mark said with a gasp.

Eve nodded and said, “For his favorite producer of Blue Heaven, the Silver Fingers is an acceptable sacrifice. If the Royals backing them interfere, Jeffery will gut them financially while their back is turned.”

Mark frowned and said, “Isn’t that the new drug going around? The one that has all the best parts of other drugs, with none of the debilitating side effects?”

“Probably. You already met the maker when you woke up.” Eve said devouring a few more fried pickles with the tasty sauce.

“A plant would be a fantastic alchemist in theory.” Mark muttered before he said, “Why are you helping us?”

Eve grinned as she said, “The Hut made me do it.”

At the younger boy’s confused expression Eve laughed and said, “Don’t worry, you're with me now. The Silver Fingers will be broken soon enough. Those who weren’t involved will be kept alive, and those who reached their filthy digits to one of mine will pass from this world in darkness.”

Mark nodded before grabbing a napkin to clean Lily’s face. Eve’s silver eyes flickered with a sad light as she watched the older brother clean up his younger sister’s face.

Some things never change. Eve thought as she crunched down another pickle before looking at the City of Silver now displayed in the window.