a –

. Part-time. Nothing crazy. Just something to help." My stomach clenched. "Absolutely not." "Alara-" "No," I cut in gently but firmly. "You focus on school. I've got everything under control." Maya stared at me, lips pressed into a thin line, unconvinced. She was too smart for her age. Too observant. After a pause, she said, "Oh. A package came for you." My brows furrowed. "From who?" "I don't know. It didn't say. The box looked expensive, though." She got up and crossed the room, returning with a flat black box topped with a satin ribbon and a tiny envelope. My heart dropped. Carefully, I peeled it open. Inside was something I'd only ever seen through thick glass or on Clarke's vanity tray-Van Cleef & Arpels. Delicate gold. Ivory enamel. Tiny clover motifs that shimmered under our flickering kitchen light. Maya gasped. "Is that real?" I said nothing. "Alara, that's like... ten thousand dollars. Or more. What-who-?" I was already rising to my feet, grabbing my phone. "Ace Wolfe," I muttered, walking toward the hallway where Maya couldn't hear. I hit his number. He answered on the second ring. "Grey," he said, cool and indifferent like my name meant nothing. "I was expecting your call." "What is this