She hadn’t realized how fast her heart was beating until Malfoy laid the offer on the table and everything went quiet. Her breath hitched and she turned to stare at him, half horrified, half relieved. She couldn’t determine if this was the best outcome or the worst. She’d finally have the earring back in her possession, but at what cost? Malfoy surely wouldn’t ask of her the same lecherous favors that Splitters did, but the price to pay might have still been her pride.

She opened her mouth to say something but closed it immediately, as she caught Splitters’ expression. It had darkened considerably as his gaze landed on her, glittering and promising vengeance all the same. Rowan’s body tensed and this time she really did take a step back. “You heard him.” She said, her voice shamefully uneven.

But there wasn’t much the shop owner could do, and they all knew it. Rowan watched as the man’s giant hand scooped up the tiny pearl with his thumb and forefinger, holding it up to the light. For one horrible moment, Rowan thought he would crush it - it certainly seemed like he was thinking of it. But then he set it on the counter and held his hand out to Malfoy.

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