Sea Glass

by Maria V. Snyder

  She told me to wait before disappearing into the crowd.

  Skippy’s loud sigh and tapping foot grated on my nerves. “You know she’s not coming back. I’m sure Fisk has better things to do than chat with you.”

  His sneering tone almost caused me to kick him. Almost. I jabbed a finger at a smoking market stand. “Why don’t you get a beef pie for lunch? My treat.”

  “No, thank you.”

  He reminded me of Pazia before she lost her powers. Cocky, snobbish and entitled. He hadn’t experienced the ugly side of life where people deceive you and hurt you and lie to you. He would probably soil himself if threatened.

  Fisk arrived and wrapped me in a bear hug. “Lovely Opal. It’s been years!”

  My reply was muffled by his broad chest. He laughed and released me.

  “It’s only been a few seasons. Although you’ve grown a foot taller and a foot wider since I last saw you!”

  No longer a gangly young man, Fisk had filled out. Almost six feet tall, he gazed down at me. A few light brown hairs jutted from his square chin.

  “Now you’re exaggerating.” He linked his arm in mine. “What can I do for you?”

  “I need a book merchant. One who can uncover hard-to-find books.”

  “And she’s in a hurry,” Skippy said.

  Fisk turned his attention to the magician, and I introduced them.

  “I can hire you a better bodyguard,” Fisk said. “One who is not so impatient.”

  “I’m not her bodyguard,” Skippy said. “I’m her—”

  “Babysitter,” I supplied. “The Council worries I might cause trouble.”

  Skippy’s face reddened.

  Fisk laughed with a deep chuckle. “I wouldn’t use the word might. More like when.”

  I punched him on the arm. “You’re not helping my reputation.”

  “From the rumors I’ve been hearing, your reputation is beyond help.”

  “What have you been hearing?” I asked.

  Fisk slid his gaze toward Skippy, then waved a hand in the air. “Oh, you know. The standard gossip. Now, let me show you to Alethea’s. She’s the best book finder in Sitia.”

  Alethea proved to be knowledgeable and promised to hunt down books about glassmakers throughout history. While we browsed Alethea’s shop, two kids burst through the door. They argued about a silver coin one of them had lost. Just as they passed Skippy, they came to blows, knocking into the magician.

  Fisk drew me into a back room. “That should keep him occupied for a moment. What’s going on?”

  “It would take me days to fill you in.”

  “I can distract your companion long enough for you to escape.”

  “Another time that would be great.”

  “How can I help?”

  “I would like to purchase a set of lock picks without Skippy knowing about it.” I handed Fisk a gold coin.

  “Too much.” He dug for change.

  “Keep it. I also would like a switchblade. The Weapons Master believes they’re the tool of dishonorable thieves.”

  “And you don’t agree?”

  “No. I lean more toward the vital-to-my-survival type of tool.”

  “There will still be plenty of money left over.”

  “That’s for when I’m at the market with my babysitter, and I do this.” I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

  “My signal for a distraction?”

  “Yes.”

  His light brown eyes sparked. “My favorite kind of job. Haggling for housewares has lost its appeal.”

  “I’m surprised Yelena hasn’t recruited you for her missions,” I joked.

  “Who says she hasn’t?” He winked.

  Skippy barged into the back room. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re looking at the books.” I swept my arm to indicate the shelves.

  “Didn’t you hear the fight? Why didn’t you help?” The short black hair on his left side stuck up and dirt stained his gray pants.

  “Help a powerful magician like you?” I asked, all innocence and wide-eyed. “Why, I’d just get in the way.” I breezed past him and called goodbye to Alethea. “Send me a message if you find anything.”

  Fisk left to assist his other clients and I led Skippy back to the Keep.

  * * *

  For the next two weeks, I trained an extra hour with my sais each night instead of making my glass messengers. According to Master Bloodgood, the Council wasn’t pleased with my new...request. He warned the discussion had turned ugly at one point and a few Councilors wanted to force my cooperation.

  “How?” I asked.

  “You do not seem surprised. You have already considered this possibility.” He leaned back in his chair. “Your sister lives and works at the Keep. She would be the most logical target.”

  “They threatened to harm her?” I grabbed my chair arms to keep from jumping to my feet.

  “No. But they can consider firing and evicting her. See if that is enough.”

  “They’ll risk upsetting Leif.”

  “A calculated risk.”

  “Is this official?” I asked.

  “Not yet, but I would suggest you meet them halfway. How about a reduction in the number of hours you are watched when you are in the Keep?”

  “That would work. For now.”

  He tapped a finger on his long nose. “You have a plan. I take it this will not end here?”

  “I’m sorry, Master Bloodgood. I didn’t mean for you to be caught in the middle.”

  “Nonsense, child. I applaud your efforts to stand up for yourself. Just watch you do not get too greedy or too stubborn.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He dismissed me. Before I left, I pulled a few more texts from his shelves. I searched for history books reporting on the more mundane aspects of life instead of those focusing on the magical marvels.

  With my arms full, I negotiated past his office door and down the empty hall. Most of the administration workers were gone for the day. Only a few industrious souls and the Master Magicians remained.

  The musty smell of mold and dust emanated from the stack I held. I sneezed and almost dropped the pile onto the floor. Sitting down, I shuffled the volumes to build a steadier heap.

  As I worked, familiar voices reached me. Zitora’s office was nearby. Her murmur reminded me of the time I had fallen asleep while she lectured me on diplomatic negotiations. I inched closer. Skippy waited for me in the lobby downstairs.

  A man’s garbled voice answered her. I put the books down and scooted next to the doorknob. The conversation continued without interruption. She had to know I crouched outside her door. No one could sneak up on a Master Magician.

  Perhaps she didn’t care. Or she felt the topic of their discussion was safe for me to overhear. Perhaps she wanted me to listen. Yeah, right. I guess if I convinced myself she wanted me to eavesdrop, it would make me a better person than Skippy.

  I collected my books and stood. Pathetic. I wouldn’t stoop to underhanded spying.

  “...Ulrick...convinced her...Devlen...poor girl,” Zitora’s muffled voice said. “She could use...understanding...”

  I couldn’t move. She talked about me. Even muffled, her words still stabbed me.

  “...do all...I can...help,” was the reply.

  I recognized the man’s voice and staggered. My stack of books tipped over as I tried to catch my balance. They crashed to the hard tile floor as I slipped and fell. Together we caused a smashing sound to echo down the empty hallway. Loud enough to draw Zitora and her visitor from her office.

  12

  At that instant, I wished I could turn gray and melt into the grout on the floor. But no such luck. Zitora and Kade peered down at me. She
showed no surprise. Kade, on the other hand, lit up as if I were an unexpected gift.

  He knelt next to me and gathered me in his arms. “Are you all right?”

  I pushed him away. I hadn’t seen him in three months and the first thing he did was go to Zitora’s office.

  “Don’t let me interrupt your important meeting with Master Cowan,” I said. I stood and wiped imaginary dirt off my pants. Stacking the books, I hefted them in my arms.

  “We were just finishing,” Zitora said. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  “That’s what you do best,” I said, “leave.”

  “Opal,” she warned.

  “What? Are you going to punish me for my insolence? I hope you’re creative about it. As far as bad things, there’s not much left that I haven’t already endured.”

  She exchanged a glance with Kade. One of those see-what-I-mean type of looks, before retreating to her office.

  I continued down the hall without bothering to see if Kade followed or not. Bad enough he stopped to see her first, but to fall for her lies about Ulrick...

  Kade fell into step beside me. “Did it ever occur to you I was on my way to see you in Master Bloodgood’s office when Zitora stopped me?”

  I slowed.

  “I thought not.”

  “But she was telling you about Ulrick and—”

  He squeezed my arm. “Yes, I know all about it. Yelena told me in Ixia.”

  I had forgotten she went to the Commander’s castle. She believed me and Kade knew the true story.

  I stopped. “I’m sorry.”

  Even in the flickering lantern light, Kade’s brown hair shone with yellow, gold and red highlights. His hair had grown past his shoulders. The ends curled slightly.

  He cupped my face in his hands. “You’re forgiven.”

  Pulling me toward him, he kissed me. The books in my arms prevented us from doing more.

  “Here, let me help.” Kade grabbed a handful of texts.

  When we reached the lobby, Skippy trailed us. Kade stiffened.

  “He’s my babysitter,” I explained.

  “At least you’re not in a cell.”

  “True. And I’m not surrounded by a null shield.”

  The details of my negotiations made him laugh. “I guess Yelena didn’t tell me everything.” He gave me a pointed stare. “You’ve changed. We’ll have to catch up back in your quarters.”

  No eavesdroppers there, but Skippy or one of his pals would be hanging around. However, once we arrived at the door to my rooms, Kade turned to Skippy and told him to go home.

  “I’ll keep Opal safe tonight,” Kade said.

  “I have my orders.” Skippy crossed his arms. “Unless you’re a Councilor or a Master Magician, I’m in charge.”

  “Skippy’s a powerful magician,” I said.

  “Really?” Kade acted impressed. “Can he block a force-eight gale?”

  “I’m sure he can. Show him, Skippy.” I gestured.

  “My name is Hale. Stop calling me Skippy or I’ll have you arrested. Would you rather spend the night in the Keep’s cells instead of your boyfriend’s arms?”

  “You’re bluffing,” I said.

  “Try me.”

  “Skippy can only have me arrested if I use my glass magic.”

  The magician kept his temper, but he must have pulled power because Kade responded with a restless breeze.

  “I’m staying,” Skippy said.

  Kade touched my arm, cutting off my reply. “Fine. But you can watch the door from over there.” He pointed across the courtyard.

  A whoosh of air hit Skippy, pushing him backward. His clothes flapped and dirt swirled around as he fought against the narrow wind. The nearby trees and bushes hardly moved. The wind forced him to the spot Kade had indicated and died. When Skippy tried to walk closer, the blast hit him again. He glowered at us, but stayed put.

  “Interesting. What do you call that?” I asked.

  “Technically it’s a microburst, but if anyone official asks, he was caught by an errant wind. The poor guy.” Kade tsked. “It came from nowhere.”

  We entered my quarters. I lit the lanterns while Kade stirred a fire to life. Evenings during the warm season tended to be chilly. Although... I watched Kade as he added logs to the flames. The flickering soft light illuminated his long eyelashes. He kept his mustache and thin anchor-shaped goatee with its line of hair growing along his strong chin. He wore a tan tunic and dark brown pants tucked into calf-high boots. Scuffs and stains marked the leather; he would need a new pair soon.

  Kade tossed more firewood until the hearth blazed with heat.

  I stopped him from adding another log. “It’s hot enough.”

  “I’m making sure you’re not cold. I know how much you hate it.” Kade wiped the sawdust from his hands and stood.

  As he was five inches taller than me, I gazed up at him. “I had other ideas about keeping warm.” I leaned into him.

  “Blankets?” he asked, feigning ignorance.

  I unbuttoned his tunic.

  “Sweaters?”

  I removed his shirt and ran my hands down his shoulders and around his back. Hard muscles clung to his lean frame. Too lean. He had lost weight.

  “A hot bath?” He yanked at my clothes.

  My fingers sought his waistband. In a matter of seconds, our clothes piled onto the floor. I drew him close. Skin against skin, igniting desire and hunger. Everyone had been so cold and distant. I needed him, wanted to join him inside his skin.

  We kissed, sinking to the ground until we were prone.

  “Any more guesses?” I asked.

  “No.” He covered my body with his. Between kisses he said, “I’ll keep you warm.”

  Sparks of heat raced through my blood, and fire burned in my heart as Kade kept his promise.

  * * *

  I didn’t want to move. But when the fire died down and the cold floor sucked our remaining warmth, we transferred to the couch. Wrapping a blanket around us, we nestled together.

  “What’s been going on?” Kade asked.

  “You said Yelena told you.”

  “She told me the facts, but not how you were dealing with it.”

  I searched his gaze. “Facts?”

  “I believe you.”

  I sagged against him as pure relief melted my muscles. If he had doubted me, I would have shattered. “You’re the only one.”

  “Yelena and Leif—”

  “Want to believe me, but aren’t one-hundred-percent certain.”

  “But can’t she read your mind?”

  “Yes, but if I’ve been fooled to think Devlen stole Ulrick’s body, then my memories are true.”

  Comprehension smoothed his face. “Zitora claims the trauma of being tricked has made you cling to Ulrick’s story, but she said you were slowly getting over it and I should encourage you to put it all behind you.”

  I huffed with derision.

  “Opal, she stressed how important it is for you to move on. I think she’s worried you’re still in danger.”

  “In danger of what?”

  “Of being locked up for your own good. Or if you press the matter, perhaps those who are part of the larger conspiracy will decide to silence you.”

  A shiver raced along my skin. Kade pulled the blanket over my shoulder.

  “You need a hot cup of tea. Let me get—”

  “No. Stay.” I clutched his arm.

  “Yes, sir.” He settled back on the couch.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m cooperating. Even Mara thinks I’ve been duped.” I remembered my stall tactics for more freedom. “Well, I’m being good enough. I haven’t said anything about blood magic.”

 
Kade raised an eyebrow. “Good enough? What about the extra hours of training? The negotiations with the Council? Didn’t Yelena advise you to cooperate fully? What happened to your determination to abide by the Council’s decisions?”

  “I would have been more obedient if they played fair.”

  “Life is rarely fair.”

  By Kade’s wistful tone, I knew he meant his sister Kaya. She had been killed when an orb shattered while she danced. The Stormdancer orbs had been sabotaged, rendering them too brittle to hold the storm’s energy.

  “I know that now,” I said. “Parents teach their children to share, to play fair, to be honest. But...surprise! Life isn’t fair. And it takes a while to transition from the childhood lies to the adult reality. I probably clung to the part of me that still expected fairness longer than most.”

  Kade considered for a moment. “Zitora was right about you.”

  “Don’t believe her, Kade. I don’t trust her or the Council.”

  “She’s a Master Magician—”

  “So what! Roze Featherstone was a Master Magician and she unleashed a Fire Warper on Sitia. Her rationale was twisted. She convinced herself her actions were best for Sitia. Even at the end she believed.” My stomach churned, remembering Roze’s corrupted soul as it passed through me and into her glass prison.

  “You don’t think Zitora is trying to protect you?”

  “No. I think she’s trying to protect herself.”

  Kade remained silent for a few heartbeats. “My mother taught me to think the best of someone until all the evidence was collected.”

  A fancy way of saying don’t jump to conclusions. But it wasn’t a jump when Zitora supported Councilor Moon’s claims. It was evidence. “Parents do their children a grave disservice, protecting them from the truth and raising them in a fairy world of fairness and lies.”

  Kade moved back and studied my expression. “You weren’t this bitter when we were locked in that storeroom on the northern ice sheet. Tricked and tortured, yet you remained optimistic.”

  “Optimistic? I told you to kill me along with Sir and his gang. How is that optimistic?”

  “Maybe that’s not the right word.” His gaze swept the room as if he searched for the proper inspiration. “You still had...faith...trust in people despite the situation. Who do you trust now?”