The Study Series Bundle

by Maria V. Snyder

  You will not leave the Keep again. You will not lose your guards again. Or I will lock you in the Keep’s prison. Understand?

  Yes. I’m—

  I’ll be watching.

  But—

  Irys severed our mental connection with a head aching abruptness. Yet her magic still gripped my body.

  “Take her back to the Keep,” Irys ordered the guards. “Take her to her rooms. She may leave them only for lessons and meals. Do not lose her again.”

  The guards flinched under her searing gaze. The larger one picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I suffered the indignity of being carried through the Citadel, across the Keep’s campus and dumped onto my bed.

  Irys didn’t relinquish control of my body until the next morning, although I still felt a band of her magic wrapped around my throat. By then, I was ready to throttle anyone who dared to get in my way. Avoided as if I carried a disease, I could only vent my ill humor on the guards as they escorted me through the campus.

  After three days of this hell, I stood next to Irys in the great hall of the Council building, waiting for the Ixian delegation to arrive. Irys had used my lesson time to lecture me on proper Sitian protocols and diplomacy. She had refused to let me talk to her about anything other than the lecture topic. My frustration at not knowing about the search for Opal seized my chest like a vise.

  The great hall was decorated with large silk banners representing each of the eleven clans and each of the Master Magicians. Hung from the ceiling, these colorful banners flowed down three stories of marble walls until they reached the floor. Tall slender windows separated the banners, allowing the sunlight to stripe the floor with gold. The Council members wore formal robes of silk, embroidered with silver thread. Irys and the other Masters wore their ceremonial robes and masks.

  I remembered Irys’s hawk mask from when she had visited the Commander in Ixia, and I looked at the others with interest. Roze Featherstone, First Magician wore a blue dragon mask. Bain Bloodgood, Second Magician had donned a leopard skin mask. And a white unicorn covered Third Magician, Zitora’s face.

  According to Fisk, these animals acted as the magicians’ guides through the underworld and throughout their life. They had found them while enduring the Master level test, which, from the little bits of information I could gather, seemed a horrible ordeal.

  Cahil had donned the midnight-blue tunic with the silver piping that he had worn to the New Beginnings feast. The color complemented his blond hair and he looked regal despite his hard expression. Present to assess his enemy for weakness, he promised to keep quiet and not draw attention to himself; otherwise, the Council members would have banned him from the greeting ceremonies.

  Fidgeting, I twisted the wide sleeves of my formal apprentice robe around my arm. Pale yellow in color, the hem of the plain cotton garment touched my feet and revealed the black sandals Zitora had given to me. I plucked at the skin on my neck and pulled at the robe’s collar.

  What’s wrong? Irys asked. Her rigid posture radiated disapproval.

  It was the first time since my house arrest that she had mentally communicated to me. I wanted to ignore her. My anger at her punishment still sizzled in my blood. Even now, Irys’s magic wrapped around my neck. She hadn’t been kidding when she had said she’d be watching. The power I would need to remove her magic would exhaust me, and I didn’t possess enough nerve to provoke her again.

  Your leash chafes. My thoughts were cold.

  Good. Maybe now you’ll learn to listen and to think before you act. To trust others’ judgments.

  I’ve learned something.

  What?

  The harsh tactics of the Commander are not unique to Ixia.

  Oh, Yelena. Irys’s stiff demeanor melted. The hard band of magic around my throat disappeared. I’m at my wit’s end. You’re so focused on action. You have a single-minded determination that barrels through situations. You’ve been lucky so far, and I don’t know how to make you understand that if Tula’s killer absorbs your power, he will be unstoppable. Sitia will be his to rule. This goes beyond you and your desire for revenge. This affects us all. All options must be carefully considered before any action is taken. That is the Sitian way.

  She shook her head, sighing. I have forgotten that you’re a grown woman. Once you have complete control of your magic and when this killer is found, you can do as you like, go where you please. I had hoped you would have become a part of our efforts to keep Sitia a safe and prosperous place to live. But your unpredictability will only jeopardize our community.

  Irys’s words cut through my anger. To be free to do anything I wanted seemed a foreign concept. The first time in my life that I had been offered such a choice.

  I envisioned traveling all over Sitia with Kiki and with no worries or promises to keep. To be unconnected. Moving from one town to the next, experiencing the culture. Or climbing through the jungle with my father, learning about the medicinal properties of some leaf. Or sneaking into Ixia to meet with Valek. She presented an attractive option.

  Perhaps I would take her up on it, but not until after I captured Ferde and fulfilled my promise to Moon Man.

  Deciding I would try harder to work in the Sitian way, I said, Irys, I would like to help find Opal.

  Sensing my intentions, she turned to me and studied my expression. There’s a meeting scheduled after the formalities with the Ixians. You’re welcome to come.

  I smoothed out the sleeves of my robe as the row of trumpet players sounded the arrival of the northerners. An immediate hush fell over the great hall as a stately parade of Ixians entered the room.

  The Ambassador led the procession. The tailored cut of her black uniform lent her an air of importance. Two diamonds sparkled from her collar. The Commander must have shown her great favor in allowing her to wear the precious stones for this mission. Her long straight hair was fading toward gray, yet her almond-shaped eyes held a powerful vitality.

  Sudden recognition pierced my heart.

  24

  I QUICKLY SCANNED THE rest of the Ambassador’s retinue, searching for the person who had to be there. Her aide, walking one step behind her, wore the same uniform as the Ambassador except the red diamonds on his collar had been stitched with thread. His bland face was unremarkable, so I moved my gaze to the others.

  Some of the guards looked familiar, but two captains near the middle caught my eye. Ari’s massive muscles strained the seams on his uniform. His tight blond curls looked almost white in the sunlight. His face remained impassive when he glanced at me, but I could see two red blotches spreading on his cheeks as he fought to keep from smiling.

  Janco sauntered next to him, looking much healthier than when I had said goodbye to him in Ixia. Then his pale face had been tight with pain and he hadn’t the strength to stand. The results of defending Irys against Mogkan’s men. Now he moved his lean build with an athletic grace and his skin was tanned. Straight-faced, he peered at me, but I could see pure mischievous glee dancing in his eyes.

  It was wonderful to see them, but I kept searching. Clutching my Butterfly pendant through my robe, I scrutinized all the guard’s faces. He had to be here. If the Commander was here, posing as the Ixian Ambassador, then Valek had to be close by.

  But Valek didn’t know about Commander Ambrose’s secret. Only I knew about what the Commander called his mutation, having been born a woman with a man’s soul. Since Valek didn’t know the Ambassador was the Commander, he probably would be with whoever was posing as the Commander in Ixia.

  Unless the Commander had sent Valek on another mission, or, even worse, maybe Valek still hadn’t recovered from giving me his strength. Maybe he had been injured while weak. Or dead. Horrible scenarios chased through my mind as the delegation exchanged formal greetings.

  I willed the pleasantries to move faster. My need to question Ari and Janco about Valek grew with every second.

  With my thoughts on Valek, I found my eyes lingering on the Ambassador’s a
ide. His straight black hair fell to his ears and clung limply to his head. A soft fat nose sat above colorless lips and a weak chin. He appeared to be bored as he scanned the Councilors and magicians in the room with no hint of intelligence in his blue eyes.

  Our gazes met for a moment. Sapphire-blue lightning struck my heart. That rat. I wanted to slug Valek and kiss him at the same time.

  His expression never changed. He gave no sign of having seen me at all as his attention refocused on the Councilors. I could hardly bear the rest of the meeting.

  Too impatient to wait until the meeting concluded, I tried to link with Valek’s mind. I encountered a formidable barrier stronger than any of the Master Magicians’. Valek sensed the magic and glanced at me.

  When the introductions and formalities came to an end, the Ixian delegation was served refreshments and every one milled about in small groups.

  I headed for Ari and Janco, who stood near the Ambassador as if they had metal rods strapped onto their backs, but Bavol Cacao, my clan leader, stopped me.

  “I have a message from your father,” Bavol said. He handed me a small scroll.

  I thanked him. This was only the second time I had talked to him since he had arrived at the Citadel. He had delivered the clothes Nutty had sewn for me. Even though I wanted to talk to my friends, I inquired after the clan.

  “Dealing with the usual petty problems, and trying to combat some fungus that is eating through the wood on a few walls.” He smiled. “I’ve no doubt that Esau’ll figure it out. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check to make sure the Ambassador’s suite is ready.”

  Before Bavol could walk away, I touched his sleeve. “What does the suite look like?” I asked him.

  Puzzled, he said, “Our most opulent chambers. The Citadel’s guest suites have every convenience. Why?”

  “The Ambassador doesn’t like opulence. Perhaps you could have some of it removed? Simple elegance would suit her better.”

  Bavol considered. “She’s a cousin of Commander Ambrose. Have you met her?”

  “No. But I know most Ixians agree with the Commander’s dislike for extravagance.”

  “Your concern is noted. I’ll see to the changes.” Bavol hurried away.

  I broke the wax seal on the scroll. Unrolling the paper, I read the note then closed my eyes for a moment. In my mind’s eye I saw my story line twist into a big complicated noose-like knot. According to the letter, Esau and Perl were on their way to the Keep to visit me. They planned to arrive five days before the full moon.

  Who else could come? If I had gotten a message from the underworld announcing Reyad and Mogkan’s arrival, I wouldn’t have been surprised.

  Tucking the note away, I shook my head. I had no control over these events and I would deal with my parents when they arrived. I approached the Ixians. The Ambassador chatted with Bain, Second Magician.

  Her gold eyes flicked to me and Bain stopped speaking to introduce us. “Ambassador Signe, this is Apprentice Yelena Liana Zaltana.”

  I clasped her cool hand in the Ixian greeting, and then bowed formally in the Sitian salutation.

  She returned the bow. “I have heard much about you from my cousin. How are your studies progressing?”

  “Very well, thank you. Please extend my best wishes to Commander Ambrose,” I said.

  “I will.” Signe turned toward her aide. “This is Adviser Ilom.”

  I held my face in a neutral expression as I shook his limp hand. He mumbled a greeting then ignored me as someone not worth his time or attention. I knew Valek had to be acting, yet his complete disregard made me worry if his feelings for me had changed.

  I didn’t have much time to brood, though. When Bain led Signe and Ilom to meet another Councilor, Ari grabbed me in a quick bear hug.

  “What’s with the dress?” Janco asked.

  “Better than that wrinkled uniform,” I countered. “And is that gray hair in your goatee?”

  Janco smoothed a hand over his facial hair. “A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up. “Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.

  “Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.”

  “But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror. “Because if you have I can’t give you your present.”

  I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?”

  Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.

  “No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”

  “Only if she made us some goat’s cheese,” Janco said.

  Ari rolled his light blue eyes. “Just give her the gift.”

  “It’s from Valek,” Janco said, digging into his pack. “Since he was unable to accompany the delegation.”

  “Suicide,” Ari said. “The Sitians would execute Valek if they caught him in their lands.”

  Concern for Valek coursed through me, and I glanced around the hall, looking to see if anyone else had recognized him. Everyone seemed to be engaged in conversation except Cahil. He stood alone, watching the Ixians. He met my gaze and frowned.

  At Janco’s triumphant grunt I turned back to my friends. Once I saw what Janco had in his palm, all thoughts about Cahil disappeared. A black stone snake with glints of silver twisted four times around his fingers. The snake’s scales had been carved with a diamond pattern along its back, and two tiny sapphires gleamed from its eyes. One of Valek’s carvings.

  “It’s a bracelet,” Janco said. He took my hand and slipped the snake over it until it fit onto my forearm. “It was too small for me,” Janco joked. “So I told Valek he should give it to you. Looks like it fits you perfectly.”

  I marveled at my gift. Why had Valek chosen a snake? Apprehension coiled in my stomach.

  “Things have been quiet since you left,” Ari said. “Even though we’re not part of his corps, Valek made Janco a fox statue and a horse for me. They’re the nicest things we own.”

  We talked until Ari and Janco had to follow the Ambassador to her suite. They told me they would have rotating shifts to guard Signe and Ilom and would have some time to talk to me again. I offered to show them around the Citadel and perhaps the Keep.

  Irys found me before I left the great hall and she accompanied me through the Citadel’s streets to the meeting to discuss the ongoing efforts to find Opal. My ever-present guards, who had been discreet during the ceremonies, followed us.

  “Janco looks great,” Irys said. “That was a quick recovery from such a severe injury. I’m glad.”

  Irys’s words reminded me of something Story Weaver had said. With all the commotion surrounding Opal and the delegation, I hadn’t discussed Moon Man’s claims with her.

  “Irys, what is a Soulfinder? My—”

  Don’t say anymore aloud, Irys’s voice admonished in my mind. That’s not something you want anyone to overhear.

  Why not? Why all the fear? My hand sought Valek’s bracelet. I twisted it around my arm.

  She sighed. Sitian history is full of wonderful and brave magicians, who have joined the clans together and stopped the wars. Unfortunately, those tales aren’t told in the taverns and to the children. The tales of the few magicians who have caused harm seem to be the ones whispered by the fireside. With Mogkan’s corruption and now this beast that has Opal, I don’t want rumors and stories to circulate about a Soulfinder.

  Irys fiddled with the brown feathers on her hawk mask that she carried. About a hundred and fifty years ago, a Soulfinder was born. He was considered a gift from the underworld. His strong magic affected people’s souls, healing both emotional and physical pain. Then he discovered he could pluck a soul from the air before it could float to the sky,
waking the dead.

  But something happened. We don’t know what, but he became bitter and he went from helping people to using them. Keeping the souls for himself, he woke the dead without their souls. These emotionless creatures followed his orders and had no remorse for their actions. That ability is considered an aberration and is against our Ethical Code. With his soulless army, he had control of Sitia for many many dark years before the Master Magicians could stop him.

  Before I could ask for details, Irys continued her story. Yelena, you have all the abilities of a Soulfinder. When you breathed for Tula, you shocked me and alarmed Roze. That’s why I was so harsh with you about losing your guards. I had to show Roze I could control you. But today you made me realize that was wrong. It was probably the same type of panicked response that pushed the Soulfinder over the edge. We need to discover the extent of your abilities before we categorize you. Who knows? You could be a Master Magician.

  I laughed, thinking of how easy it had been for Irys to ambush me and break through my magical defenses. “Highly doubtful,” I said. And also doubtful was Moon Man’s claims that I was a Soulfinder. Tula’s soul was stolen. I could breathe for her, yet I couldn’t wake her without it. I shared some abilities with a Soulfinder, but obviously not all.

  As we drew closer to the Keep’s entrance, I noticed a small beggar wearing a dirty cloak huddled by the wall, shaking a cup. Annoyed that I was the only one to notice, I walked over and dropped a coin into the cup. The beggar looked up, and I saw a flash of Fisk’s smile before he hid his face again.

  “We have news about the one you seek. Come to the market tomorrow.”

  “Hey, you! Stop bothering the lady,” said one of my guards.

  I spun to glare at the guard. When I turned back, Fisk was gone.

  I mulled over Fisk’s message. My first instinct involved ditching my guards tomorrow and meeting with him, an Ixian response, but I decided to try the Sitian approach and see what the others had found regarding Opal.

  Leif leaned over a table in the meeting room, studying a map. He greeted my arrival with a surprised expression, but I refused to acknowledge him and had to suppress a sudden fury that welled in my throat. I had no idea how I would fulfill my promise to Moon Man when all I wanted to do was shake Leif and demand an explanation.