(Glass #3) Spy Glass

by Maria V. Snyder

  Teegan rolled over. “Then why did your dolphin blaze with light?”

  “Your magic caused it to light up.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But I have nothing to do with that. It’s all you,” I said.

  He hissed in frustration. “It’s both of us! You created the magic detector. I just supplied the magic to detect.”

  21

  MAGIC DETECTOR? HARD TO BELIEVE AND EVEN harder to wrap my head around. Yet Teegan and Reema took the revelation in stride. They didn’t understand enough about magic to think it odd. Who really understood it? As each generation reached puberty, new wrinkles seemed to develop.

  I reviewed our conversation and remembered Keelin’s comment. “If no one can see me…shimmer when I encounter magic, then why can they see the dolphin light up?”

  Teegan shrugged. “Probably the glass works like a…” He cast about for the right word. “One of those…things that increases the light.”

  “Like a magnifying glass?” Which was also used for my spyglass.

  “Yeah. The glass magnifies the glow so everyone can see it.”

  His explanation sounded logical. “Reema, why did you think the information would scare me?”

  She shrugged and dipped her head. Her long corkscrew curls hung in her face.

  Crouching down, I lifted her chin and looked her in the eye. “Worried I would leave you?”

  The slightest nod.

  “It’s going to happen no matter what. In fact, I’m leaving tomorrow for a mission for Master Jewelrose.”

  Her features hardened into her tough street kid mask.

  “I’m trying to find a sitter for you. And don’t worry so much.” I tucked a curl behind her ear. “When I’m done, I’ll come back and find you a home.” I straightened and picked up the dolphin, shoving it into a pocket. “And I’ll figure out what this means. For now, can you keep it quiet?”

  They gave me their solemn promise. As I left the infirmary, I realized my intentions for full disclosure had failed. I’d kept many things from the Council and others—my immunity, being trapped by a null shield and now the magic detectors. If I recovered my blood, those secrets would be moot. And they couldn’t mourn the loss of something they never had. Right?

  Or were my motives a bit more complicated? If Pazia’s super messengers proved to be legitimate, the Council might think I was better off with my immunity and confiscate my blood, claiming it was illegal for me to use it.

  I checked on Quartz and inspected my tack. The trip to Ognap would take nine days, including the shortcut through the Avibian Plains and a stop in Fulgor. As for my backup, the only way to reach Ari and Janco would be through a complicated series of message relays, starting with Leif. And there would be no guarantee my request would reach them in time. Instead, I planned to arrange for backup in Fulgor.

  “There you are!” a girl’s voice cried.

  I spun to see a young page hurrying toward me. She wore a Council uniform. A finger of unease slid under my ribs.

  “Opal Cowan, your presence is requested. You are to accompany me,” she said.

  “Requested by whom?”

  “Councilor Moon.”

  I relaxed. “Tell her I’ll—”

  “You are to accompany me now.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “You will be violating a direct order of the Council.”

  “The whole Council? I thought you said—”

  “She is a representative of the Council. Her requests have the Council’s power.”

  The page’s haughty tone annoyed me. “Is it a request or an order?”

  She drew herself up to her full height, which was a few inches taller than me. “The request is her way of being polite.”

  I suppressed a chuckle at her increasing frustration. “Oh. A polite order. Why didn’t you say so? Lead on.”

  As I followed her from the Keep, I regretted giving her a hard time. She was a page, and had nothing to do with the Council’s decisions.

  Instead of taking me to Councilor Moon’s office in the Council Hall, she led me to Tama’s private residence. Each Councilor owned one of the town houses that had been built in a long row behind the Council Hall. All Sitia’s government buildings were located in the southeast quadrant of the Citadel.

  The door swung open as we approached, and Faith greeted me with a relieved smile. “Come in, come in.” She thanked the page and ushered me inside.

  Before I could say a word, Faith handed me a glass of red wine and gestured to an overstuffed white chair with black spots. All the living room’s furniture matched—black, white, or black with white circles. No other color had been invited. I felt out of sync in my comfortable tan tunic and dark brown pants.

  Faith called to Tama before she settled on a solid black couch across from me. “We don’t know what to do,” she said.

  “Is this about Tama’s new assistant?” I asked.

  “No. After a thorough background search, we hired a sweet man. My only complaint is he’s a little too organized. Makes me feel sloppy in comparison.”

  “Wow. I didn’t think there was anyone more organized than you. But you can’t go by me. I thought the woman we hired before was a perfect candidate.”

  “We all did.” She shooed my comment away. “Leia didn’t have time to do any damage, and now we have Captain Alden and Zebb in charge of personnel.”

  “Zebb?”

  “Tama has come a long way,” Faith said. Her gaze slid past my shoulder.

  I turned in time to see the Councilor and Zebb enter the room. Tama carried the glass paperweight I had made for her. I had forgotten about it. Zebb sat in the chair next to mine, but she set the paperweight on the table before me.

  Tama remained standing and peered at me as if I had played a nasty trick on her. The desire to slouch down and avert my gaze flared. I felt like a kid caught sneaking out.

  Not bothering with the niceties, she asked, “Did you know what this could do when you gave it to me?” She jabbed her finger at the glass.

  “No.”

  She softened a bit. “It scared the hell out of me the first time it exploded with light.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” She perched on the end of the couch, tucking her long white skirt under her knees. “Once Zebb and I figured it out… It’s a wonderful tool, but I wasn’t sure what I should do about it.”

  I glanced at Zebb. Surely he had reported it to Bain by now.

  He pressed his lips together before saying, “Too many variables. We needed additional information. Can you make more?”

  Pulling the dolphin from my pocket, I placed it next to the paperweight. With a quick strike, Zebb’s magic touched the dolphin. It glowed red-hot.

  “That’s a yes,” he said.

  “Opal, what do you want us to do?” Tama asked.

  My thoughts scattered as shock slammed into me.

  Faith smiled at my reaction. “You’ve done so much for us. Did you really think we would do anything without consulting you first?”

  I tried to collect my wits, but they slipped away. “I didn’t…I just found out.”

  “How?” Zebb asked.

  “Two kids.” I told them about Teegan’s discovery.

  “I’ve heard of him,” Tama said. “Master Jewelrose was very excited. She thinks he may have master-level powers.”

  Not a surprise.

  “Is he the one who almost flamed out?” Zebb asked.

  “Yes,” I said, but regretted it as three people turned to stare at me.

  “You saved him, didn’t you?” Tama asked. “Master Bloodgood said the boy was stopped, but not by who. The Councilors assumed it was one of the Masters.”

  Faith added, “That means the Masters know about your immunity. Do they know about the detectors?”

  “Not yet.”

  “I understand about the detectors. You just found out, but why would you keep your immunity a secret now?” Tama asked.<
br />
  “Bain advised against it.” When spoken out loud, it sounded lame.

  Zebb nodded. “She’s a magician…or rather a… In any case, Master Bloodgood is her boss. He makes the decisions regarding all the magicians in Sitia.”

  “He also said my immunity would scare the Council.”

  Tama agreed. “The Council has a love-hate feeling toward magic. On one hand, they’re skittish and on the other they’re all protected by it. To know you could walk through their magical defenses would be scary.” She picked up the paperweight. “But this could cancel it out.”

  “You lost me,” I said.

  “The Council wouldn’t be afraid of you if you provide them with these detectors.” Tama brandished the glass in the air.

  “But it doesn’t protect them from me.”

  “They’d be grateful for the peace of mind. With so many magicians around, who knows what they’re doing. No offense, Zebb.” She shot him a tender smile. “But any one of them could be influencing our Council decisions. We could have sessions where no magic is allowed and your detector will ensure it.” Tama’s eyes blazed with her conviction.

  Before, I would have attributed Tama’s antimagicians rant to paranoia, but I remembered Leif’s comment about Bain’s magical bodyguards. And perhaps it wasn’t all Tama’s idea. Her complete relaxation around Zebb was unexpected. However, the paperweight didn’t flash, so she wasn’t under his magical influence.

  My head spun with all the potential complications and possibilities. “I need to sort it out.” I stood. “I’m going to Ognap for Irys.” Yet another secret. I would soon need a chart to list who knew what. Would this be my life if I worked for Valek? Keeping secrets, telling lies and half-truths. “Can we decide what to do with these detectors when I return?” No sense getting everyone excited and then not be able to make them. It would be just like the crisis with my glass messengers.

  They agreed.

  Tama walked me to the door. “Is this…mission for Irys dangerous?”

  “It shouldn’t be.”

  “Shouldn’t?”

  “I’ve learned to expect the unexpected.”

  “Does it work?”

  “No.” Although it wasn’t funny, I laughed at the sad truth.

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  I opened my mouth to decline her offer, but I realized she had become a trustworthy friend. “Actually, there are two things you can help me with.”

  My one request was granted without hesitation, but the other took Tama a few minutes to consider before she agreed.

  Carrying a backpack with her meager possessions, Reema trailed behind me. “Are you sure?” she asked for the hundredth time. “I can stay with Tee. The barracks are huge. No one would notice me.”

  “The barracks are filled with student magicians. They’ll notice. If I’m not back by the hot season, you can move in there with him until I return.” Only a handful of students remained at the Keep over the long break. A few stayed to work; others had no place else to go.

  When we reached the door, Reema grabbed my arm in a panic. “You’ll be back before then. Won’t you?”

  I had reassured her before. With travel time, I estimated my trip to last about thirty days. “What’s really worrying you?”

  “Nothing.” She shifted her backpack to her other shoulder and scuffed her foot on the ground.

  Putting myself in her place, I imagined how I would feel moving into a stranger’s house and having the only adult you trusted leave. “I promise, I’ll be back.”

  “Don’t promise,” she said. Moisture glistened in her eyes. “You can’t control fate. If she wants you, you can’t stop her.”

  “Did your mother—”

  “Promised us everything would be fine. Don’t worry, she said when we were kicked out of our apartment. Don’t fret, she told Teegan when he got sick. I’ll return with enough money for a season, she promised. She never came back.”

  Sorrow gripped my heart and squeezed. I knelt next to her. “You’re right. I can’t stop fate, but I can stay one step ahead of her.”

  She squinted at me. “Can you really do that?”

  “Already have.” I winked.

  Faith opened the door and welcomed us inside. She had a plate of cinnamon cookies on the table, and she addressed Reema as if she were an adult, gaining bonus points from the girl. We chatted about nothing in particular until I needed to leave.

  After I said my goodbyes, I stood in the doorway.

  Faith led Reema upstairs to her new room and office. “You’ll be my assistant. First Adviser to the First Adviser.” Faith’s laugh floated down the stairs.

  Confident Reema would be safe, I returned to the Keep and saddled Quartz. I mounted and patted her on the neck. “First stop, Fulgor. You know the way.”

  As Quartz walked to the Citadel’s east gate, I enjoyed the sunny day. Only seven days into the heating season, the cool temperature would warm as the sun climbed the sky. No humidity and a light breeze kept the flies from annoying Quartz. The hot sticky weather wouldn’t arrive until late into the season and by then, I planned to be back at the Citadel. And then? No idea. I hoped this trip would be decisive.

  Five days later, I arrived in Fulgor. Again. No matter how far away I traveled or what else was going on in my life, I seemed to return to this town. Mixed emotions fluctuated in my chest as Quartz navigated through the morning business crowd.

  The familiar streets comforted like home and upset my stomach like a horrible nightmare. I did have friends here, and the factory, which I should sell. And Devlen was here. Why was I so… Impulsive? Confused in Fulgor? At least, this stop would be short. In other words, no visiting Devlen.

  I had missed the morning training at Fulgor’s Security HQ. The new annex looked complete from the outside, but various workmen carried supplies into the building. Not wanting to see Devlen, I hustled into the reception area.

  The same bored receptionist sat behind the counter. Would she recognize me as the prisoner Rhea Jewelrose?

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  Guess not. “I’d like to see Captain Alden, please.”

  “Name?”

  I told her.

  “One minute.” She swiveled around in her chair and shouted through the opening in the wall behind her. “Collin, tell the Captain Opal Cowan’s here to see him.”

  So much for a quiet return. Chairs scraped the floor and Nic and Eve filled the doorway.

  “The Captain more important than us?” Nic asked in an unfriendly tone.

  I sighed. “I’m here on business. If I asked for you first, the Captain would be upset. Besides, I thought you’d be out.” I pointed toward the door. “You know, working?”

  While Nic scowled, Eve cut to the heart of the matter. “What business?”

  “I need to check with the Captain first,” I said.

  “Come on in.” Eve gestured toward two desks facing each other in the back corner.

  “Cozy,” I said.

  “Not my idea. Believe me. It’s bad enough I have to work with the guy,” Eve said.

  “Cap’s in with some bigwig from the Councilor’s Hall. Take a load off.” Nic pushed a chair out with his foot and patted the seat. “So… Besides the new hairdo, what have you been up to?” He acted casual, leaning back and resting his arms on his waist, but his gaze pinned me with keen interest.

  “Not much.” I yawned, playing along. “I went down to Booruby for my sister’s wedding and then to the Citadel to hang out with the Master Magicians. Boring stuff.”

  “Too bad.” Eve tsked in mock sympathy. “You missed all the fun here.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah. Lots of laughs,” Nic said without humor. “There was a prison break at Wirral.” He studied me.

  I kept up the inquisitive facade. “Did anyone escape?”

  “One person. And she left a mess in her wake.” Hard lines formed on his face. “Five max security prisoners dead, two missing
officers and one enraged warden.”

  “We’re still dealing with the consequences and the cleanup,” Eve added.

  “Sorry to hear that,” I said with genuine sorrow. No matter what anyone else said, Ulrick’s death rested on my shoulders. It wasn’t guilt. It was regret.

  “Are you?” Nic asked.

  “Of course,” I snapped. “Spit it out, Nic. What are you implying?”

  “Evidence led to one of the hotshots as the killer, but he could have taken them out at any time and made it look like suicide or an accident. I suspect the escapee planted the evidence to cover her tracks.”

  He thought I killed them. I glanced at Eve. She looked curious and not hostile.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “For someone who allegedly committed a crime of passion, she certainly knew what she was doing. She smuggled in lock picks and darts treated with a sleeping drug. The deceased prisoners had no connection to this woman, who, by the way, doesn’t exist except on paper. I would bet a month’s wages she was a hired assassin, paid to eliminate them, except for one thing.”

  “Go on, you’ve created quite a story.”

  “You.”

  “How am I involved?”

  “You’ve been asking about the prison. You disappeared the same time she appeared. You had an excellent reason to see those men dead.” Nic clutched the chair arms.

  “Easy, Nic,” Eve said.

  I locked my gaze on him and leaned closer. “Do you really believe I am capable of cold-blooded murder?” No answer.

  “I’ve met only one person in my life that I would have gladly killed if I’d been given the chance.”

  “Who?” Eve asked.

  “Devlen.” I stood. “Good thing I don’t know how to hold a grudge.”

  Captain Alden’s door opened. He shook hands with an elderly man. Without saying another word to Nic or Eve, I crossed to the Captain. He invited me in and I closed the door behind me.

  “I guess this isn’t a social call,” the Captain said when I refused to sit down. He stood behind his desk.