(Glass #3) Spy Glass

by Maria V. Snyder

  I moved between Galen and the couple. “It’s getting late. If you plan to be home before dark, you should go soon.”

  Galen kept his smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “They’re welcome to stay as long as they’d like. I was about to offer them some refreshments.”

  Heath thanked Galen. “Opal’s right. We should go.” He tsked. “The heating season’s foggy weather just won’t quit, putting a crimp in travel.”

  We did the polite goodbyes.

  “I’ll escort you out.” Then I said to Galen, “I’ll be back. Okay?”

  Outmaneuvered, Galen’s grin strained as he agreed.

  The three of us kept silent until we were far enough away not to be overheard.

  “How did you know I was here?” I asked them. When they acted offended and confused, I cut in. “Valek did another excellent job with your disguises, but you can’t fool me anymore. I saw Eve’s scar. The one I gave her the last time we did knife defense.”

  “Ah, hell,” Nic said. He pulled a silver coin from his pocket and gave it to his partner.

  “Always a pleasure taking your money,” Eve said.

  “We don’t have time for this,” I said.

  “We followed Devlen,” Nic said. “Along with that big Ixian.”

  Ari was here, too. I didn’t know if I should be glad or scared. “Leave now. Galen’s suspicious of you.”

  But Nic wouldn’t budge. He engulfed me in a hug, squeezing the breath from me. Then he rested his hands on my shoulders and peered at me in concern. “How are you holding up?”

  I stifled the desire to punch him. “Better now that I know I’m not legally married to Galen, but if I’m forced to reveal your identities and harm you then I’ll be sick. Go, so I don’t have to. Please.”

  “Okay, okay. Settle down. We’ll leave. Our job’s finished anyway,” Nic said. He hugged me again and Eve squeezed my hand.

  “Stay strong,” she said.

  I watched them cross to the stables, wishing Nic was a better liar. The big lug had no intention of leaving. I wanted to cry and cheer at the same time.

  Before I reached Galen’s office, I read the note from Walsh. He suspected Galen would attempt to take control of the family. Even in his warped mind, Walsh loved them and didn’t wish to see them subjected to Galen’s harsh leadership. Explaining what was in those syringes, Walsh hoped I would aid his family. I tore the letter into small pieces and threw them in the trash.

  When I returned to the office, Galen didn’t wait to unleash his anger over my little trick. “You are to remain silent unless I ask you a question or give you permission to speak. You’ve been taking advantage of my inattention to details. I’m going to rectify that right now.” He read from a list he had written.

  My loopholes disappeared with each command. All but two and I clung to them. They were all I had to keep me from giving up.

  He slammed the paper down on the desk. “I’ve been too nice to you. I don’t think you really understand how nice.” Galen stood. “Don’t move.”

  My mind yelled to run away, but my feet remained planted.

  He approached me and slid his hands under my shirt, fondling my breasts. I bit my tongue, hoping the pain would distract me.

  “I can feel you’re repulsed and afraid,” he said. “I order you to relax and enjoy my touch.”

  Heat spread across my body, igniting desire.

  “Better or worse?” he asked.

  “Worse.”

  “Now do you understand how nice I’ve been?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I think it’s time to consummate our nuptials. You will get pleasure from everything I do to you even if it hurts. Consider it a wedding gift.” He yanked my shirt off.

  I shivered in delight as he ran his hands over my back and again when he finished undressing me. A distant corner of my mind recognized the horror and humiliation, but I was powerless.

  A knock sounded before Galen could do more. Thank fate! Irritated, he strode to the door and opened it a crack.

  “This better be important,” he said.

  Devlen’s voice replied, too low for me to discern his words.

  Galen glanced at me. “Get dressed.”

  More than happy to oblige, I pulled my clothes on in record time. Galen swung the door wide and returned to his desk.

  Devlen entered, leading a dozen guards.

  “Show Opal what you caught on your fishing trip,” Galen said.

  The guards parted, revealing two figures wrapped in null shield jackets.

  29

  MY LEGS REFUSED TO SUPPORT MY WEIGHT ANY longer. I dropped into a chair. This nightmare would never end.

  “Heli has returned and she brought a friend,” Galen said. “Is he your Stormdancer, Opal?”

  I met Kade’s gaze. “Yes.”

  “He came to rescue you. How sweet.” Galen rubbed his chin as if considering. “And despite Devlen’s assurances that the Bloodroses have meekly accepted me, I’ve been picking up an undercurrent of unrest from them. Which is concerning. Opal, has Devlen been lying to me?”

  “Yes.” The word burned my throat.

  “Is he planning on helping you?”

  “Yes.” I tried to catch Devlen’s eye, but he kept his attention fixed on Galen.

  Galen said to him, “You were worried Opal would endanger her own rescue so you kept her out of the loop. But all this time, you’ve been a wonderful source of information. Your blood magic isn’t strong enough to block me from your emotions.” He gestured to the guards. “You believe they are loyal to you, when in fact they are still mine. And I know all about the fog. How many people have you sneaked into the compound?” He didn’t wait for Devlen to reply. “I counted six—the Minister and his wife, two disguised as guards and the Stormdancers.”

  The small bit of hope clinging to me kissed me goodbye. Listening to Galen gloat was like watching someone burn to death and not being able to throw water on the poor soul.

  Drawing power, Galen concentrated on Kade and Heli. “The jackets aren’t tied. They’re supposed to rip them off and cause problems when given the signal,” Galen explained to me. “Go ahead, Stormdancers, take them off.”

  Kade and Heli shrugged free of the jackets. They exchanged a look.

  “I’m more than capable of producing a null shield. Everyone was so worried about Opal’s power, you disregarded mine.” He tsked. “And is she really worth six lives? If she’s so devoted to her Stormdancer, then why did she sleep with Devlen?”

  Dead silence. No one said a word. Beyond horrified, I stared at the floor.

  Finally, Galen ordered his guards to wrap up Kade and Heli in the jackets and to secure Devlen.

  As if on cue, Kade, Devlen and Heli fought the guards. But they were outnumbered, and Heli didn’t know how to defend herself. She was the first to be subdued and tied into a jacket, followed by Kade and then Devlen.

  “Announce a mandatory clan meeting to start in one hour,” Galen ordered his guards. “Escort the three of them to the dining room. I’ll join you there after I finish.”

  I returned my gaze to the rug until the rustling sounds of movement faded.

  Galen crouched in front of me. “Feel terrible?”

  “Of course.”

  “You’re going to feel worse after you kill your friends.”

  Before we left, I used the washroom near Penny’s area and was alone for a few precious minutes. Opening the drawer, I took out the syringes Walsh had left me. I shoved them deep into my pocket as Galen stepped from his office.

  He grabbed my hand and we walked to the dining room. All the clan members sat around the tables. Armed guards ringed the large space and lined up along the front wall were Nic, Eve, Kade, Heli, Ari and Janco. My friends. My family. My reasons to stop Galen.

  Unfortunately having reasons gave me no power. I couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze.

  Their disguises had been ripped off and they were either manacled or wrapped in null shields.
All had been secured to the wall. At least Valek wasn’t among them. I’d like to think he remained off-site to call in reinforcements. A valiant gesture, but they wouldn’t arrive in time.

  Galen stood with his back to the prisoners and made a speech to the Bloodroses. I scanned their faces. Quinn sat next to Penny, but his attention was on Galen. I opened my mind to them. Anger and resistance simmered, but worry and fear also churned. And if I dipped deeper… No. I wouldn’t invade their privacy.

  “…the outside world has forgotten you,” Galen said. “Do you think these people are here to help you?” He swept an arm out, indicating the prisoners. “They came to rescue Opal. They’re professionals and powerful magicians and they failed. Now you can witness what I do to those who try to upset my plans.” He handed me my switchblade. “Kill Devlen,” he ordered.

  I triggered the weapon and the blade shot out. The Ixian battle symbols Devlen chose for me marked the steel. I ran my fingertip along the flat side of the blade, feeling the ridges of the etchings. I offer my heart, entrust my soul and give my life to you.

  “Now, Opal.”

  I turned toward Devlen, but stopped. He had given me his heart, soul and life. Therefore, in order to kill him, I would have to kill myself. Without hesitating I put the blade to my own throat, and pulled.

  “Stop!” Galen ordered.

  Too late! Warmth gushed down my neck, soaking into my shirt. I smiled until he ordered me to heal the wound. As I used magic to seal the skin, I realized the cut hadn’t been deep enough to finish the job anyway.

  “What the hell was that?” Galen asked.

  “Magic is very literal. Devlen had given me his life. I was following orders.”

  “I take it back,” Devlen called, trying to protect me.

  No! Unable to speak, I appealed to Devlen. He remained stubborn, but his eyes were wide as if he had been scared. “Opal, don’t—”

  Before Galen could finish, a puff sounded. A strange clear dart struck my bicep. I teetered and Galen caught me as I collapsed.

  “Heal yourself,” he said. “Push the drug from your arm. Now.”

  I envisioned a little butterfly sucking the drug as if it were nectar. Liquid trickled down my arm. The Bloodroses didn’t wait to see if I was successful. They surged to their feet and chaos erupted as they attacked the guards.

  Galen yanked me down as he crouched low. “Protect us from objects.”

  I covered us with a glass barrier. Darts ricocheted off it and from within, I watched the fighting. Bloodroses wielded glass knives, glass darts and bamboo spears tipped with glass. The weapons might not be as strong as steel, but they were razor sharp and a slash across an unprotected neck did the job as well as a sword through the heart. I silently cheered them on.

  Quinn threw glass balls that seemed ineffective at first, but must have been charged with heat. They ignited clothing and tablecloths.

  “Idiots,” Galen said. He pulled me through the melee and we exited. “Secure the doors,” he ordered.

  They slammed shut, trapping everyone inside. I looked away as black smoke poured from the chimney. The flames spread. Horrified, sick and disgusted weren’t strong enough to describe my torment. I huddled on the ground in misery. The black clouds overhead matched my mood until I realized they were thickening.

  An explosion rocked the ground as the roof of the dining room blew apart. Then rain teemed from the sky. The incredible deluge soaked me in an instant and I choked on water, but I didn’t care as the fire sputtered and died.

  “Damn Stormdancers,” Galen said.

  He would soon have another problem. I spotted Valek approaching us. The clan members streamed from another hole in the dining room, but they kept their distance from us.

  “Can you sense the Stormdancers?” Galen asked me.

  “Yes.”

  Kade and Heli worked to free the others.

  “Stop them from helping the Bloodroses. Now.”

  I projected my magic. As slow as possible, I smoothed it over Heli and then Kade, erecting a null shield around them. The rain lessened into a drizzle and ceased. But by this time, Valek had arrived.

  Galen appraised the assassin with a critical eye. “Am I supposed to be scared of you?”

  “With my reputation, you should be terrified,” Valek said.

  “Because of your immunity? Didn’t Opal tell you about the null shields?”

  “She did.” He flung a succession of darts at us.

  Galen easily batted them away. His magic was strong enough for a few missiles. Then Valek withdrew glass balls from his pockets and lobbed them. They crashed around us, but the breeze carried the sleeping gas away. Valek stopped moving when Galen encased him in a null shield. Valek looked furious. But by then, Devlen, Ari and Janco had joined the Bloodroses outside, which, I suspected, had been Valek’s intent.

  Before Galen reacted, a battle cry rose. As one they rushed us, screaming loudly. Galen shouted my name, but the noise from their attack drowned out the rest of his words.

  Pushed and shoved, I was hustled along and up a slight dune of sand. I bumped into Quinn. He gave me a wild grin and thrust glass into my hands. An orb.

  “We’re doing it, Opal,” he shouted. “Fighting together!”

  Even outnumbered, Galen had magic and the skills to defend himself. He had cleared a space around him. From my position, I had a good view despite being boxed in by Bloodroses.

  The mob shifted and I stumbled. A strong arm encircled my waist, steadying me.

  Devlen pointed to the orb in my hands. “Can you drain him?”

  I shook my head no.

  “How about a null shield?”

  Frustrated, I grabbed Quinn’s arm. Can you hear me?

  He blinked in surprise. “Yes.”

  Tell Devlen I can’t erect a null shield, but you can.

  “I can’t. I don’t know how!”

  I’ll help you. We can only do this together. All of us.

  “But my magic is weak and it only sticks to glass.”

  Stick it to that glass ball you made and use the black diamonds for a power boost.

  “Oh. Okay.” He plowed through the crowd.

  “Where is he going?” Devlen asked.

  I waved him off, too tired to explain with gestures. Exhaustion tugged and I sagged against Devlen. Galen must be tapping my power to protect against the Bloodroses, and to keep Valek trapped.

  “He’s big and bad, but don’t get me mad,” Janco sang out.

  I glanced over at Galen. He fought Janco. The Ixian had donned a null shield jacket and had found a sword. Their swords clashed with a clang and I noticed Janco held his weapon with two hands. It was Valek’s broadsword. Why hadn’t Ari taken it? He could wield it one-handed.

  But then Janco attacked with a flurry of strikes. Even with the heavy sword, his speed was impressive. Too bad Galen was the better swordsman. The match wouldn’t last long. I willed Quinn to hurry.

  The young magician’s feet pounded on the sand. He wasn’t even out of breath. We found a quiet spot away from the crowd. I sat cross-legged in the sand and Quinn plopped next to me. Loophole number one—Galen never told me not to help Quinn.

  Touching his arm, I said, Hold the glass in one hand and the diamonds in the other. Since he had worked with glass, I used his experience to explain how to build a shield. It had worked for me. I hoped it would for him.

  Using the power in the diamonds, expand the bubble so it’s big enough to fit a man and attach it to the ball like you had applied the heat earlier.

  “And almost fried the entire clan.”

  You didn’t. Focus!

  Quinn was quick to catch on and after a couple heart-stopping mistakes, he erected a shield.

  Do you have good aim? I asked Quinn.

  “How far?”

  No closer than that dune we stood on. Any nearer and he would feel you coming.

  “No.”

  Ask Devlen.

  Quinn relayed my question. />
  “I’m not accurate at that distance,” Devlen said.

  We returned to the dune and I searched the crowd. Unable to get to Galen, the Bloodroses watched the match and kept the noise level high. Valek could do it if he wasn’t trapped. Ari and Janco exchanged places in one sweet move that they had to have practiced before. Ari had also donned a null shield jacket. He slashed and cut with one hand, trying to get close enough to use his strength to his advantage. Nic and Janco stood together, encouraging Ari. Janco’s arms and torso sported multiple cuts and he breathed heavily.

  Kade and Heli watched the fight, staying out of the way. I still couldn’t break the null shield around them. Eve hovered nearby.

  Eve! She could kill a fly on the wall with her knife.

  Tell Devlen to send Eve over to us, and then stay there. He’ll only have a second to knock Galen out. Does he have Curare?

  “No Curare,” Devlen said after Quinn explained. “Our weapons and supplies were confiscated by Galen’s men.”

  Devlen lifted my chin and kissed me before releasing his hold. I hung on to Quinn as Devlen weaved his way toward Eve. Ari kept Galen busy, but blood streaked down his face from a cut above his eye. Janco gave Nic his jacket and I would have laughed at the way the fabric strained over Nic’s broad chest if the circumstances were different.

  Nic stepped next to Ari and grabbed the sword, freeing Ari to retreat. Nic wasn’t as strong as Ari nor as fast as Janco, but he had a certain finesse and he wasn’t tired from fighting two other opponents. Teamwork at its best.

  Galen sucked more of my energy. If it wasn’t for Quinn’s support, I would have buckled. By this time, Devlen had reached Eve. She didn’t hesitate, plunging into the crowd.

  When she joined us on the dune, she asked, “What do you need?”

  Quinn handed her the ball, filling her in on the plan.

  She hefted it, testing its weight. “One chance, right? Near his feet? Do or die?”

  “Yes.”

  Eve smiled. “I like a challenge.” She lobbed the glass. Sunlight glinted off its surface as it sailed through the air. It landed a foot short.