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.
“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.
“No.” I pulled Councilor Moon’s letter from my pocket and handed it to him. “I’ve a request.”
Alden scanned the document. “Shouldn’t be a problem. Take Nic and Eve with you. The three of you seem to work well together.”
I barked out a humorless laugh. Originally, I had planned to request them. “I don’t think they would…enjoy the assignment. I’ll take your two best officers.”
He gave me a sardonic smile. “They are my best officers. I don’t assign people based on enjoyment, but on skills. When do you need them to start?”
“Right away. I should brief them.” I suppressed a cringe. This was not going as I had imagined.
Gesturing for me to take his seat, he strode to the door. “There’s no privacy out there, I’ll send them in for the briefing.”
I sat down, placed my elbows on the neat desk and rested my head on my hands for a moment. The air thickened when they entered. A surly resentment pulsed from Nic, but Eve seemed more annoyed at her partner than at me.
Tossing a small sackful of coins across the desk, I outlined what I needed them to do. They nodded in understanding. Eve tucked the purse into her pocket, and they left to prepare for the assignment.
I had completed my business at HQ before noon. Glad for the extra time, I led Quartz to Justamere Farm and groomed her. The owners were happy to see her, but I explained she would be there for one night only. After I had brushed all the road dirt from her copper coat, I c
hecked on my factory.
Stale air and dust puffed in my face when I entered the factory. Darkness filled the first floor and I groped for the lantern, hoping it remained in the stone alcove. I found and lit it, breathing a little easier when the soft light illuminated the kilns. Walking around, I inspected the equipment. In order to return this place to a true glass shop, I would have to tear down the boards on the windows and install shutters.
The apartment upstairs looked undisturbed. I pulled back the curtains and the late-afternoon sunlight revealed the dust motes. Valek had left a few of his belongings behind. I straightened a couple things and rolled up the blueprint of Wirral. The place echoed and I longed for company. After shaking out my sheets and dumping my pack onto the bed, I debated about supper.
I had planned to go to the Pig Pen and have a bowl of Ian’s stew with my friends. The memory of Nic’s accusation ruined my appetite. And I would not visit Devlen. Instead, I lit extra lanterns and brought them downstairs. I practiced blocks and strikes with my sais.
Concentrating on perfecting a set of moves, I almost dropped my weapons when a loud bang cracked through the air. It took me a second to realize someone had pounded on the door.
I peered through the peephole and groaned. Nic waited on the other side. This would not be fun. Wiping my sweaty hands on my stained practice tunic, I opened the door and let him and the gray twilight in.
We stood in the front room. Gressa had used this space for her store. Nic carried a package wrapped in wax paper, and I still held my sais with the tips pointing toward the floor.
He eyed them. “Planning to attack me?”
I glanced at his uniform and sword. “Depends. Did you come to arrest me for murder?”
He sucked in a breath. I waited.
Releasing the air in a rush, he said, “Damn it, Opal. I’m sorry.”
“Are you really? Or did Eve make you come?”
“I am. I was mad and had jumped to conclusions.”
“Heck of a jump.”
“No it wasn’t. You didn’t trust us with your plans. Why would we trust you?”
“I trusted you with my life, Nic. Remember all those early mornings?”
“Yeah, well…I said I was sorry.” He held out the package to me. “Peace?”
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