Night Study

by Maria V. Snyder

  So why wasn’t I rushing to the Citadel to do my job and smooth relations between the two countries? And then there was Owen. What could I do to stop him? I’d actually be safer in Sitia.

  I thought about it. I’d been in plenty of dangerous situations without Valek. But this time... This time I was vulnerable. The most vulnerable I’d been since I’d been a lab rat for Reyad.

  And every time I’d been in mortal peril, Valek had saved me. Not always physically, but even just hearing his voice gave me the strength to stop Owen. When I’d been trapped in the fire world, the thought of never seeing him again motivated me to find a solution.

  Besides, what was wrong with being selfish? Someone else could be the Liaison. Someone else could be a target for assassins. I could just be with Valek.

  Except... Yeah, that was the kicker. Except, I couldn’t. Even without my powers, I remained in a position to help, and the last thing I wanted was war between Ixia and Sitia. Not when I might have a child. A country at war was no place to raise a child. Eventually, I’d need to return to Sitia.

  My courage had scattered on the ground like leaves fallen from the trees. I gathered my bits of mettle, tucking them into my heart. Each one increased my motivation to learn how to survive without my magic. Bonus that the perfect person to teach me also happened to be my heart mate.

  The door to the shelter creaked. I turned. Valek strode out into the sunlight. He combed his fingers through his sleep-matted black hair, but his alert gaze scanned the area. His stiff posture relaxed when he spotted me by the horses.

  “Any trouble?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “Good.”

  “Anyone else awake?” I asked.

  “The people from MD-2 are packing their bags. Onora and Janco are still asleep. Since we’re ahead of schedule, I’m going to find a local patrol, see if they spotted Owen. Can I borrow Kiki?”

  She would sense any magical traps. “You have to ask her. And I suggest you bribe her with milk oats.”

  He smiled. “Sounds like your brother.”

  As he offered Kiki the treat, I thought of Leif. One good thing about Owen, Rika and Tyen being in Ixia—I didn’t have to worry about Leif running into the magicians. I hoped he’d received Valek’s message about the booby traps.

  What if he didn’t?

  A vision of shattered glass piercing his body flashed. My stomach rolled with nausea. I swallowed and dismissed the horrible scene. Just my overactive imagination. Leif would smell the trap and not be skewered as I’d been. I hoped.

  Kiki allowed Valek to saddle her. But before he left, he drew me close. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m concerned about Leif.”

  “He’s quite capable of taking care of himself. And Devlen is with him.”

  “I know. It’s just...” I fisted my hands.

  “Just what?”

  “It’s been forty days since I woke up without my magic. And just when I think I’ve come to terms with it, or just when I’ve mustered enough gumption to learn how to live without it, some comment or some incident sets me back, and I realize just how much I lost and it feels like day one again—all raw and new.”

  Valek embraced me. Winded from my outburst, I rested my head against his chest and breathed in his spicy musk.

  “You’re frustrated, love, and that’s understandable. We’ll figure it out one way or another. We always do.”

  “But—”

  “Tell me one mystery we haven’t solved.”

  I searched my memory. About to concede the point, I thought of one. “Onora. Is she friend or foe?” And another I wouldn’t voice—Am I pregnant?—because I suspected I already knew the answer.

  “Too recent. I’m still working on it, but I’m confident I’ll know in time. Just like your problem. The solution may be revealed tomorrow, or not for seasons, but it will be. No doubts.”

  Wrapped tight in Valek’s arms, I believed him. But I expected that my doubts would creep back in. For now, though, I allowed hope and his warmth to sink into my bones.

  Far too soon, he released me. Valek tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’ll be back soon.” He kissed me, then mounted Kiki.

  She butted my cheek with her muzzle before heading out. I wiped horse slobber from my face. The shelter door creaked again. Two men, wearing cloaks marked with tan-colored diamond shapes, exited. They glanced at the horses with worried expressions before heading for the road at a fast pace. I wondered if they’d recognized Valek.

  When I entered the shelter, Onora was crouched next to the hearth, poking the ashy remains for a sign of life. A small flame erupted and she added logs until flames danced brightly. Pouring water into a pot, she set it near the fire. A cup with a tea bag rested nearby.

  “Have I turned you into a tea drinker?” I asked in a low voice as I joined her. Janco remained asleep.

  “It’s for you.”

  “Oh?”

  “I noticed you drink that ginger tea every morning, so...”

  “That’s nice. Thank you.” Or was it nice? Was she waiting for confirmation that her little stunt had worked? That I needed the tea to soothe my uneasy stomach? I vowed she’d be the last to know.

  Onora sliced cheese and bread, assembling breakfast for us. I regretted my harsh thoughts a little. While Valek and Janco searched for the tunnel, she’d taken care of me, letting me sleep and recover my strength. Perhaps she felt guilty? With her it was hard to tell. She said little and we hardly talked, which seemed to suit her just fine. No wonder Janco bugged her so much. I grinned, just thinking about it.

  “What’s so funny?” Onora poured steaming water into my cup.

  “Janco. He’s determined to annoy you.”

  “He’s succeeded. Many times.” She handed me the tea.

  “He’s looking for a reaction and for attention. You’re like The Madam, unflappable, and that irks him, so he tries hard to...er...flap you.”

  Onora smiled. The first genuine one I’d seen. It reached her gray eyes and transformed her. The carefree expression was a glimpse of the young girl she used to be before her life soured and turned tragic.

  “And ignoring him is the ultimate affront,” she said.

  Ah. She’d figured him out. “Which is why you do it.”

  “Exactly.” She sobered. “And I am an assassin. Being quiet and still for hours is all part of the job.”

  “True.” I sensed there was more, so I took a risk. “Why did you decide to become an assassin?”

  Onora met my gaze. All animation left her face, but uncertainty lurked behind her eyes. I guessed she contemplated what to tell me. The truth or some offhand comment.

  She lowered her voice. “I didn’t want to be afraid anymore.”

  That I understood. “And did it work?”

  “No one can touch me.”

  Not quite an answer. I remembered what Valek had said about her past and how she hadn’t killed her demons yet.

  “Have you faced your fear?”

  She scoffed, “Don’t you mean, have I assassinated the bastard I was afraid of?”

  “No. I know murdering a tormentor doesn’t mean the problem is solved.”

  “Sorry, but I don’t agree. Death is the final solution.”

  “Then you are luckier than me.”

  “Luckier?” Her voice rose in anger.

  “Yes. When I killed Reyad, my problems didn’t disappear with his death. He continued to haunt me.”

  “That’s because you’re the Soulfinder.”

  “I wasn’t then. Then I was a terrified nineteen-year-old, fearing I’d lost my soul and would always be a victim. Those doubts clung to me until I faced it. And I’m still learning that running away from my fears is never a solution.”

  “That’s you. Not me.” She stood up. “I better do a perimeter check.” Onora left the shelter.

  I’d struck a nerve. Interesting.

  Janco crept from a shadow. “She’s a tough clam to pry ope
n. I’ve a feeling, though, once we do, we’ll find a pearl.”

  “Pearls form in oysters.”

  “Oysters, clams...” He waved dismissively. “It’s all seafood. You know what I meant.”

  I did. Yet, I wasn’t as certain about the gem inside the hard exterior.

  Valek and Kiki returned after breakfast. We joined him in the stable. “What’s the buzz?” Janco asked without preamble.

  “No sign of Owen.” Valek swung a leg over and dismounted.

  “Is that good or bad?” Janco asked.

  “You tell me.”

  Janco paused. “Bad. They could be anywhere. What about the local patrols?”

  “They haven’t encountered anything unusual in the last couple of days.”

  Nor had any of the other patrols we’d encountered the past three days. “Maybe Owen hasn’t traveled this far yet,” I said. “That’s a possibility,” Valek agreed. “Are you ready to go?”

  We gathered our supplies and mounted. As we traveled, I considered another explanation for no signs of Owen. Perhaps he had used magic to erase the patrolmen’s memories. Could he erase memories without Loris and Cilly Cloud Mist’s help? I remembered that the three of them had each picked one of us to restructure our memories so we’d forget. Which meant he could. And then it hit me. He’d also mentioned inserting new ones.

  Then why would he be careless enough to let that miner see him and the others? Why not erase the teen’s memories?

  I snagged on an idea. “Holy snow cats!”

  The others slowed their horses and turned to me, waiting.

  I rushed to explain, “That boy, Lewin, said he saw Owen three nights before we talked to him. What if Owen planted that memory and it wasn’t really three nights, but longer? In that case, Owen, Rika and Tyen might have reached the Commander by now.”

  8

  VALEK

  Alarmed, Valek stopped Onyx. The real possibility that Owen and the others had reached the Commander sent an icy pulse through his heart. “Holy snow cats, indeed.”

  “It’s pure conjecture,” Onora said.

  “Based on Yelena’s knowledge of Owen,” Valek said.

  Kiki moved closer to Onyx, and Yelena put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t remember about his ability to plant new memories sooner.”

  He covered her hand with his own and squeezed. “Trying to outguess your enemy is all part of the fun, love.”

  “Oh, so that’s what we’ve been doing? Having fun? Who knew?” she teased.

  “Gee, Valek, you ought to show your girl a better time if she doesn’t even know what fun is,” Janco said.

  “All right,” he agreed, getting into the spirit. “Next time, love, I’ll take you along on a raid.”

  “Oh my.” Yelena fanned her face with a hand. “Slow down, handsome, or I might swoon from all the excitement.”

  Even though she smiled, it did nothing to dispel the dark smudges lining her green eyes and her sunken cheeks. She hadn’t been eating or sleeping well. But once they reached the castle, he’d ensure she got plenty of both.

  “The castle, Kiki. As fast as possible. Please,” Yelena said.

  He spurred Onyx, following Kiki. Janco and Onora rode close behind him. On horseback, the trip would take two full days if they stopped to sleep, a day and a half if they didn’t. The decision would be Kiki’s. She understood their desire to hurry while she also knew not to exhaust or injure the horses.

  Kiki stopped for water around midnight, and Valek decided they should get a few hours of sleep. Nothing good would come from them arriving at the castle completely drained and useless.

  “There should be a patrol west of us,” he said to the group. “We can overnight with them. That way we all can sleep.”

  “Hoorah.” Janco pumped his fist.

  Kiki found the patrol an hour after midnight. Their unexpected arrival caused a considerable stir, and Valek had to explain and soothe the nerves of the young lieutenant in charge. Another hour passed before they spread their bedrolls.

  Teetering on the edge of sleep, Valek was roused by Janco’s voice.

  “Just for the record, holy snow cats is my line,” he said. “You need to find your own.”

  “And you had to tell us this now?” Onora grumbled.

  “I thought it was important. I don’t like people stealing my lines.”

  “It’s a compliment, you dolt. Did you ever think of that?”

  “No.”

  “Not quite the boy genius over there. Make sure to put that in the record.”

  With Yelena sleeping in his arms, and Janco trading insults with Onora, Valek enjoyed a moment of peace. He suspected he wouldn’t get many more once they reached the castle.

  * * *

  The guards at the castle’s east gate reported no suspicious activity in the past two weeks. No surprise. If Owen had breached the walls using magic, no one would have spotted him.

  After riding all day, the horses needed to be cared for. Yelena and Janco volunteered to take them to the stables while he and Onora checked on the Commander. At this late hour, he had probably retired for the night, but Valek didn’t care.

  They raced to the Commander’s apartment. Two members of his detail stood outside his door.

  “It’s been quiet, sir,” Private Berk said to Valek. “But he’s probably still awake.”

  Valek exchanged a glance with Onora. She held her hands close to her daggers. He knocked on the door and a faint “Come in” sounded. They entered, ready to fight if needed.

  The Commander sat in his armchair by the fire, sipping a glass of brandy and still wearing his all-black uniform. A book lay across his lap. No one else was in sight.

  Ambrose set the glass down and studied them with his golden gaze. “Where’s the emergency?”

  “We’re hoping not here.” Valek strode into the room, seeking magic and scanning for intruders. “Has anything unusual happened? Has anyone been here? Or tried to get in?”

  “There’s nothing to worry about, Valek. All is well.”

  Valek paused and stared at the Commander. “I’d still like to—”

  “No need. I’m sure you have quite the story to tell, but it’s late and I’m in no mood to hear it. Report to the war room first thing tomorrow morning.” He glanced at Onora. “Just you, Valek. You’re dismissed.”

  The Commander’s complete lack of curiosity about Valek’s mission alarmed him along with the comment that there was nothing to worry about. The Commander never believed all is well. Ambrose considered relaxing your guard to be something that would be exploited by your enemy in no time. However, Valek couldn’t press the issue. Not with Onora standing there.

  “Yes, sir,” Valek said.

  They left and closed the door. Valek remained in the hallway, considering his next move.

  “Magic?” Onora asked him with concern.

  “Not that I felt.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Everything.”

  * * *

  Valek sent Onora to help with the horses and to instruct Janco to complete a perimeter check of the castle, including the barracks, stables, kennels and training areas, seeking magic. If Owen was here, he’d be hiding behind one of Rika’s illusions. Valek concentrated on all the interior rooms and halls inside the castle. The odd-shaped structure had more hidden places than a labyrinth. Starting in the dungeon and working his way up, he searched for a stickiness in the air that meant magic was in use.

  The air remained clear until Valek encountered a brief touch near the rooms reserved for his officers. He followed the tackiness down the hallway. One lantern remained lit, casting a sickly yellow glow on the gray stone walls. A door jerked open, and Valek yanked his knives from their sheaths.

  Ari’s six-foot-four-inch frame filled the threshold. He brandished a long dagger, but relaxed when he spotted Valek. “I’ll be damned. You were right.”

  “I was right about what?” Valek asked.

 
; “Not you.” Ari stepped aside. “Reema. She said you were creeping around.”

  Reema poked her head out from behind Ari. Her blond corkscrew curls fanned her face like a lion’s mane. That explained the magic. While no one, not even Master Magician Irys, could pick up on Reema’s magic, both Valek and Opal suspected she used it. But it didn’t explain the strength. Before, Valek had to be standing right next to her in order to sense her power. That puzzle would have to wait.

  “I wasn’t creeping. I’m checking for intruders,” Valek said.

  Ari straightened. “What can I do?”

  “Stay with Reema.”

  The big man pressed his lips together, but kept quiet.

  “Are the others back, as well?” Reema asked. “My dad and Janco?”

  “Janco and your aunt Yelena are with the horses.” Valek crouched down to her level. “Your father didn’t come. He’s in Sitia with your uncle Leif. You’ll have to stay here a little longer.”

  “Oh.” She stared at him a moment. “Does that mean the bad men who are after Aunt Yelena haven’t been caught?”

  Valek glanced at Ari.

  “I didn’t tell her,” he said.

  She huffed. “I’m not stupid.”

  No, she wasn’t. “Yes. And you’re safe here. That’s why your father wants you to remain with us.” Valek hoped.

  “Can I see Aunt Yelena?”

  “Tomorrow. Right now you need to get back to sleep.” Valek followed her into Ari and Janco’s quarters, which included two bedrooms and a large living area with couches, armchairs, tables and desks. No need to guess that the one overflowing with papers, books and files was Janco’s.

  Ari’s bedroom door stood ajar and Reema headed toward it. Valek turned to Ari, questioning.

  “You ordered me not to let her out of my sight,” Ari said. “I brought in another bed for her.”

  “Good. Has there been anything strange going on?”

  Ari ran a meaty hand over his short, curly blond hair. “You mean other than tonight? No. Why?”

  “Just checking.”

  “Come on, Valek, it’s me. What’s going on?”