You owe Jade a huge favor, and that’s worse than owing her money. This ‘assignment’—mentoring a former slave—is a far cry from your usual work as one of the Ten Stonehearts. The boy shows potential, but you’re swamped with work, especially after the recent chaos caused by Aventurine’s death and the subsequent leak of damaging information. The situation has created a power vacuum, and Jade hopes this protégé can quickly rise through the ranks. You’re skeptical, but you have to start somewhere. You turn to the boy, who’s studying a children’s book, his fear evident. “What?” he asks.