They found Graden in an alley behind a stack of dirty and ripped boxes. His clothes were filthy and torn and he was sleeping under sacks like the girl who’d tipped them off had said he’d be. Apart from a scruffy cat with a judgmental gaze, Graden was the only occupant of the alley. Benen approached him, wary. There were a few packets of sugardream magic crystals strewn about—empty, he hoped, but still it made Graden a target, and therefore them as well.
“Hit the crystals hard, didn’t he?” Thea nudged a brown paper packet with her shoe. “Pricey, from what I hear.”
“About a week’s worth of food,” said Benen. They both knew those who wanted it got it, though. And it explained why Graden was living on the street. “We should make this quick. This packet’s only half empty. Surprised no one’s p
