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Aiden chuckled. “I saw the photos of the cake disaster at the engagement reception. Cute.”

“Not everyone thought so. Is that it? Are we done here? Because I’ve got some actual work to do.”

“What work is that?”

“I have to track down and interview all the really good amber tuners in the city.”

“There are amber tuner shops on every corner and in every jewelry store in town. Can you be more specific?”

“That,” Gabriel said, “is an excellent question.” He got to his feet, walked around the desk, and propped his backside against it. He folded his arms and gave the matter some thought. “I’m looking for a tuner who can handle gray amber. Rez amber, to be specific.”

“I’ve never heard of gray amber, resonating or otherwise.”

“Neither has anyone else, apparently. The general consensus is that it probably comes from the Ghost City.”

“All right, so we know it’s rare,” Aiden said. “That’s helpful, because only the most skilled tuners can handle rare or unusual rez amber. Anything else?”

Gabriel unfolded his arms, straightened, and crossed the room to the coatrack. He reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and took out the pendants. “Specifically, I’m looking for the tuner who handled these stones.”

“They’re glowing. That’s weird.”

“They’re glowing because they are in close proximity. Watch what happens when they are separated.”

He tossed one of the pendants to Aiden and walked to the far end of the big office. The farther away he got, the duller the amber became.

Aiden studied the pendant he was holding. “Signal stones. We are definitely looking for a very specialized tuner.” He looked up, eyes bright with enthusiasm. “I’ll get started on the search immediately.”

“You’llget started?”

“You’ve got staff now, Mr. Jones. As it happens, I’m very good at finding people.”

“Is that right? Is that a skill you picked up in the PR department?”

“You’d be surprised by what you can learn working in public relations.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

At the end of the second tour of the day, Lucy concluded that Jared Flint was going to be as big an asset as Otis when it came to encouraging tips. People descending from the bus shoved cash at her so fast she had to use both hands, but their attention was on Otis and Jared.

Her bodyguard was a poster boy for the new image the Guilds were trying to create: young, good-looking, and dashing in his khaki-and-leather uniform, boots, and gear belt. He projected strength and competence. Everything about him, from his broad shoulders to his body language and easy confidence, sent a message of professionalism, talent, and dedication to the mission.

“Great tour,” a fortysomething woman said. She gave Jared a flirtatious smile. “I would have been quite nervous when that storm came up out of nowhere if you hadn’t been on board. It’s always good to have a Guild man around in a situation like that.”

Jared gave her a polite smile. “Glad to be of service, ma’am. But therewas nothing to worry about. Your tour guide, Ms. Bell, is the best weather channeler in Illusion Town. That’s why she handles Guild contracts in the Underworld.”

“That was so high-rez,” a teenage male announced. He gazed up at Jared, eyes glowing with hero worship. “I’m going to join the Guild when I get out of school.”

“The Guild is always interested in talent,” Jared said.

The young man grinned. His mother, who was a few steps ahead, turned around. “You are going to be a lawyer, Ben, just like your father.”

Ben rolled his eyes. His mother ignored him and hurried toward the gift shop.

Jared winked and lowered his voice. “Like every other organization, the Guilds need lawyers.”

“Excellent.” Ben gave a thumbs-up and took off after his mother.

A little girl dressed in pink gazed up at Otis with adoration. “I want my very own dust bunny.”