Chapter 59

Wazza unlocked the door to his workroom and ushered Carly and Zeke inside.

Going over to a set of long, slim draws, he pulled one open and stepped back. He had pulled it out a fair way. Layered in the draw were twenty-four head chains.

“The two main gems are real. The other three are imitations. Simple quartz, dyed to look like dark green gems. I don’t know why they were called rainbow gems, and I can’t find them on Earth to buy.”

“Open this satchel, and you will find out. However, it is for life should you accept, and you must say the pledge and mean it.”

Wazza looked at the satchel, “Why is it orange?”

“Um, I decided on orange for my Earth-dominant magicians. The items also have Energy.”

“Which, considering I’m a jeweller, makes sense. What’s the pledge?”

Zeke recited the pledge. Wazza repeated it. He then removed the medallion from the satchel and gasped as the DeRay crystal lightened and colours swirled in its depths. Carly oohed as she also watched it change.

While Wazza and Carly were distracted, Zeke removed a small pouch from his satchel and shook out three square crystals. He took a chain from the draw and used a spell to replace the fakes. He’d added the other spells Lee had recommended for good measure.

Carly was helping Wazza replace his Mad with the new Pedz. Wazza looked up as Zeke approached. In shock, he let Zeke position the chain. He shuddered as the clasp snicked closed above his right ear. The chain tightened slightly and then disappeared with the other two items.

“Are they all connected?” Zeke asked.

“Oh, yeah. This is amazing.”

“Good. By the way, the items were not a bribe. I will pay for the chains you have here. I’ll leave the other two chains if you prefer. Once I’ve released the entities.”

“No, you take them all. There are twelve blank ones, too. I can make more unless you prefer I don’t. Come to think of it, it would feel weird seeing other people wearing them. Let’s keep that design for us, huh?”

“Sound thinking. Still, you are out of pocket. Would a kilo weight of gold, silver and platinum be sufficient?”

Wazza’s eyes goggled, “Each?”

“Of course. Pop the chains in a bag, and I’ll be back in a moment.”

Zeke blinked.

Zeke blinked back to Wazza’s office ten minutes later.

He was careful to aim for a corner. Even so, both Carly and Wazza were startled. He apologised as he placed a metal box on Wazza’s desk.

“I brought an extra kilo of each and tossed in the same in copper, as I know jewellers use it, too. Don’t let the size of the box fool you; it’s all in there.”

“Any chance you have some high-quality amethysts, diamonds, or emeralds for sale?” Zeke smiled as he realised Wazza was doing some sums in his head.

“Show me the sizes you want,” Wazza replied.

He opened the door to a large wall safe and pulled out three trays. Zeke pointed to the gems he thought would do. Wazza placed the trays on the display bench beside the safe.

He soon had trays of emeralds, amethysts, and some rubies on the bench for Zeke to select from. He’d started punching in numbers on his flexipad as Zeke selected what he wanted. They haggled for a bit, but Zeke soon had a 20cm long, slim, thin box in his possession.

In it were four separate sheets with a thin foam-like material covering each side. Pressed into each layer were thirty cut gems of assorted sizes. Zeke was well pleased with his acquisitions. The two boxes disappeared into his satchel.

“A damn fine way to end the day, I say,” Zeke pronounced in satisfaction.

“If you need more, let me know. I’ve recorded the sizes, clarity and cuts you selected, so I can easily order them or cut them for you,” Wazza told Zeke.

“Of course. If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?”

“I’m glad I’ve stayed an honest man,” Wazza grinned. “By the way, you might wish to leave by the front door. There are cameras both inside and out of the shop that would have recorded your entry.”

“Ah, yes. Thanks, Wazza. Have fun but do be careful with Energy magic. That reminds me,” Zeke said.

He collected his bag of crystals and placed one over the safe and one over the entrance. Each time, he muttered some spells.

“This room is now difficult to break into. If someone tries to force you to open that safe, put your head against the door. Once it opens, it will appear empty. It will do the same if it is opened by anyone else.”

“If you wish to give someone permission, you must touch the door the first time they open it and say their name. To revoke the permission, put both of your hands on the door and say their name twice.”

Wazza grinned, “I like it.” He then walked them to the door.

Zeke stopped under the camera and added an extra crystal. Wazza unlocked the door and let them out. He waved as they walked away.

Carly waved back.

“So, what about my problems?” Carly asked.

“Are you partial to living on Morpheus?”

“No. The further I can get, the better. I was seriously thinking of going to Terra. The problem is they do checks. You can’t get a job on a ship, even as a cleaner if you have debts.”

“So, who do you owe?”

“The Tenancy Corporate. I’ve not worked for three months. I’ve sold just about everything of value I own. My credit is nil. They only let you get in arrears for two weeks, and you have to pay a month in advance. I have to come up with six weeks of rent.”