Spy Glass

by Maria V. Snyder

  The click of the door vibrated in my chest. An awkward

  silence grew.

  Tama finally said, “Did the Council send you?”

  “No. I’m here on my own.”

  “Why are you in Fulgor? Can I help you with some-

  thing?”

  I would have welcomed her attempt to change the subject

  and the opportunity to ask for a favor, but not now. Not when

  she held herself as if she would shatter at the next harsh word.

  I had no idea how to help her, but I had to try.

  I dredged my memories, disturbing the painful emotions

  that had settled to the deepest layer of my mind. They swirled

  and polluted my thoughts.

  “It was horrible to be betrayed.” I met her wary gaze. “It

  felt like my heart was rotting in my chest and every breath

  burned with the knowledge I had been fooled. It was difficult

  to trust after that. The rot spread throughout my body, leaving behind so many doubts, I stopped trusting myself.”

  Tama leaned forward. “How did you conquer it?”

  “I didn’t. I survived it. Endured by realizing my friends

  and family can always be trusted no matter what. And when

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  47

  I feel the rot creeping back, I grab onto one of them and hold

  on until it goes away.”

  She snagged her lower lip with her teeth. “But you have a

  large family and friends. I don’t. I have Faith.” A weak smile

  touched her lips at the play of words.

  “What about Dari?”

  Tama waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “New. My

  sister killed all my loyal people.”

  “So this place is filled with strangers?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then get rid of them. You don’t need all those guards.

  They’re tripping over themselves.”

  “But

  who…”

  “Will protect you?”

  She

  nodded.

  “Do you trust me?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  I pulled in a deep breath. My plans to find my blood would

  have to wait. This was more important. I had to finish rescuing Tama first. “I will protect you. Hire me as your new assistant, and I’ll find you the right people.”

  “But what about magic? It can inf luence anybody. Force

  them to do horrible things. And magicians can be corrupted

  by all that power. That magician downstairs has been spying

  on me.” She shuddered so hard her teacup rattled.

  Which explained the paranoia I had sensed earlier. “We can

  ask Master Bloodgood to assign you another magician. One

  who can surround you with a null shield. Then you won’t

  have to worry about being spied on or attacked.”

  “No. I don’t want anyone who has magic near me!”

  I backed off. One problem at a time.

  We summoned Faith and I outlined my plans to her. She

  glanced at Tama. A little color had returned to the Councilor’s face and she leaned forward, listening to my strategy.

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  Maria V. Snyder

  “Did you check employment history before hiring the new

  staff ?” I asked Faith.

  “We didn’t have time. Everything was so chaotic.”

  “First order of business is to reduce security. We’ll keep the

  best ones on staff.”

  “How do you know who is trustworthy?” Tama asked.

  “I don’t. But I trust two people who do.”

  “Wow.” Nic whistled. “You went in search of a job as a

  correctional officer, and became the Councilor’s new assis-

  tant. How did you manage that?” He propped his elbows on

  the edge of my massive desk. He rested his square jaw on his

  hands.

  We were in the Councilor’s reception area. I had claimed

  Dari’s work space and Nic and Eve sat opposite me.

  “I impressed her with my amazing filing skills. I can alpha-

  betize in seconds.” I snapped my fingers.

  “In seconds? You’re my new hero.” Nic batted his eyelashes

  at me.

  Eve punched him in the arm. “Knock it off.” She turned

  to me in concern. “What’s going on?”

  Only a few people knew all the details of what had hap-

  pened in Hubal. The whole city of Fulgor believed the Coun-

  cilor had been under the inf luence of her sister. That Akako

  used magic to control Tama. Close enough.

  I explained Tama’s fears.

  It didn’t take Eve long to sort through the information.

  “What do you need from us?”

  “The Councilor needs two bodyguards with her all the

  time. How many teammates do you have?”

  “Our team has twelve. I’ll talk to Captain Alden about

  our short-term reassignment, and I’ll work up a watch

  schedule.”

  Nic groaned. “Don’t put me on night shift or I’ll die of

  boredom.”

  Spy Glass

  49

  “What’s next?” Eve asked, ignoring her partner. Just like

  her fighting style, she didn’t waste energy or time.

  “Weeding out the security staff. Can you do a little digging

  into their histories? Find out who’s trustworthy?”

  “I can get rid of half of them for you right now,” Nic said.

  “When the Councilor returned, she wanted this place full of

  soldiers. We couldn’t provide the manpower, so they hired

  people with no training or previous experience just to have

  warm bodies here.”

  “Great. Make me a list,” I said.

  “Captain Alden can investigate the rest for you,” Eve

  said.

  Nic tapped his finger on the chair’s arm. “I hope you realize

  you’re not going to be popular once word spreads.”

  “I’m not here to make friends,” I said. “Besides, I’m tem-

  porary. Once we have the right people in place, we can all go

  back to normal.” Except, I didn’t know what normal would

  be. Since my sister Tula had been kidnapped and murdered

  over six years ago, nothing in my life had been normal.

  Dari and the Councilor’s personal bodyguards were the first

  to go. Nic and Eve returned for the night shift and handed

  me a list of names.

  “Good or bad?” I asked.

  “The riffraff,” Nic said. “Can I give them the boot? I always

  wanted to be in charge.”

  I scanned the names, but didn’t recognize any. “No.

  Faith Moon will handle that unpleasant task.” I glanced up

  from the paper. “Are you ready to be reacquainted with the

  Councilor?”

  “I showered,” Nic said.

  “Did you put on clean undergarments?” I asked.

  “Yep. Got my best pair on. No holes. Do you think she’ll

  want to check?” He grinned with wolfish delight.

  “Eve, I think you should do all the talking.”

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  Maria V. Snyder

  “Yes,

  sir.”

  I knocked and waited for Tama’s faint response before en-

  tering. The Councilor’s back was to us as she pulled employee

  files from a drawer, sorting them. Her office was long and

  thin. Narrow stained glass windows striped the side walls and

  stretched up to the ceiling two stories above our heads. The

  sitting area was near the
door and across from an oval confer-

  ence table. Opposite the entrance, her U-shaped desk faced a

  wide picture window.

  The sunlight faded, reminding me of the need to light

  the lanterns. My stomach grumbled. I hadn’t eaten since this

  morning. When Tama reached a stopping point, she turned

  and faced us.

  I introduced the soldiers, emphasizing their help in Hubal.

  Her stiff demeanor relaxed, and she smiled at them when I

  explained they would be guarding her tonight.

  “Finally,” she said. “A good night’s rest!”

  While they talked, I lit the lanterns. The cold season’s nights arrived fast, dropping a curtain of darkness with little warning.

  When I passed my friends, I brushed against magic. I paused

  and stood behind them. Trying not to be obvious, I rested

  my hands on the backs of their chairs. The hairs on my arms

  pricked. A web of power surrounded them. Her magician must

  be eavesdropping, but I couldn’t be sure. I now understood

  Valek’s frustration.

  Not wanting to upset Tama, I kept quiet as Nic and Eve

  left to take up position outside her office door.

  “Make sure you introduce them to Faith,” Tama said. “She’s

  the only person I allow in my private suite. I keep Council

  business and my personal life separate, but with living in the

  Hall…” She wrapped her arms around her waist, turning to

  stare out the window.

  I wondered if she looked at her f lickering refection or the

  blackness of the night. My image stood beside her, but it didn’t waver. Odd.

  Spy Glass

  51

  She turned to me. “Where are you staying?”

  “At the Second Chance Inn.”

  “You can live in the assistant’s apartment on the ninth f loor

  once Dari leaves.”

  “I’d rather not.”

  She tried to hide her disappointment.

  I rushed to explain. “Eventually, we’ll find you a perma-

  nent assistant. And I should be out there—” I pointed to the

  window “—listening to the tavern gossip, getting a feel for

  the citizens’ moods and complaints for you. If I stayed here,

  I’d never leave and we’d miss the opportunity to connect with

  the townspeople.”

  “That’s smart, Opal. Your experiences have made you

  stronger and more confident. While I’m a mess. I can’t make

  decisions and I’m terrified another magician will…”

  “No magician will hurt you. The man who switched your

  soul with Akako was a Warper. He used blood magic. And

  the Warpers who know how to use it are all locked up in your

  prison. The magician downstairs…Zebb?”

  She cringed, then nodded.

  “Was he sent by Master Bloodgood?” I asked.

  “Yes. Bain assigned every Council member a magician ca-

  pable of erecting a null shield around them for protection.”

  “And Bain would only send a trustworthy person. You’re

  a Councilor. One of only eleven and all critical to Sitia. Your safety is of the utmost importance.”

  “Really?” Tama shot back. “Then how come not one of

  them, Master Magician or Councilor—the same people I’ve

  known and worked with for years. None of them even questioned Akako when she attended Council sessions in my stolen

  body. When she voted on policy and laws. Not one!”

  “She was protected by a null shield,” I tried to explain.

  “That only blocks magical attacks. We have different

  personalities. How could they not suspect something was

  wrong?”

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  Maria V. Snyder

  I swallowed the huge knot in my throat. “They knew

  something wasn’t right. They probably worried about it, and

  they also probably found logical explanations for all your new

  quirks.”

  Tama remained doubtful. “Come on. They’re intelligent

  men and women.”

  “You called me smart. Do you believe it?”

  “Of

  course.”

  “I wasn’t smart enough to figure out Devlen’s soul was in

  Ulrick’s body, and I was dating Ulrick.” I told her my story.

  “He was bolder, more confident, and there were other clues,

  as well. But I didn’t even question him. I justified each and

  every one. Try not to be so hard on the Council and Master

  Magicians. I’m sure they feel horrible, and I’d bet my sister’s favorite skirt that Bain sent you the finest protector.”

  Her lips parted, but no words escaped. I couldn’t tell if she

  thought I was an idiot or if she pitied me. Good thing I didn’t tell her that Devlen had managed to do what Ulrick couldn’t

  while we dated. Sleep with me.

  “I’ll have to think about it,” she said.

  “That’s a start.” I said good-night and moved to leave.

  “Opal?” She touched my shoulder.

  I stif led a yelp as magic burned through the fabric of my

  shirt.

  “Thanks for sharing your story.”

  I nodded because if I opened my mouth I would cry out.

  “See you tomorrow.” She pulled her hand away.

  I left her office and waved to Nic and Eve as I hurried

  through the reception area. Once I reached the deserted hall-

  way, I sagged against the wall, and rubbed my shoulder. Magic

  coated Tama’s skin. Since she wasn’t a magician, it had to be

  Zebb’s. If he protected her, she’d be surrounded by a null

  shield. He was either trying to manipulate her or spy on her.

  Either way I just lost Mara’s favorite skirt.

  Spy Glass

  53

  * * *

  Exhaustion soaked into my bones. I couldn’t deal with

  this magician right now. I pushed away from the wall and

  descended to the lobby. Plenty of guards milled about, but

  most of the staff had gone for the day. I signed out.

  The lamplighters had lit the streets of Fulgor. Soft yellow

  light f lickered. Shadows danced. Groups of townspeople talked

  and laughed as they headed toward taverns or their homes. I

  should stop at the Pig Pen for a late supper and to listen to the gossip, but fatigue dragged on my body.

  I would visit the taverns tomorrow as well as join the sol-

  diers for their early-morning training. When I arrived at the

  Second Chance Inn, I checked on Quartz. She munched on

  hay, but poked her head over the stall door so I could scratch

  behind her ears. With eyes half-closed, she groaned in con-

  tentment. Then she moved, presenting other areas for me to

  scratch until I dug my nails into her hindquarters. Spoiled

  horse.

  “A Sandseed horse. Figures,” a man said with a sneering

  tone.

  I turned. A tall man leaned against one of the stable’s sup-

  port beams. His crossed arms and relaxed posture the exact

  opposite of the strain in his voice.

  “Excuse me?” I grabbed the handles of my sais. Magic

  enveloped me for a moment then receded. I stayed still de-

  spite the desire to bash him on the head with the shaft of my

  weapon.

  “Some people get all the luck,” the magician said. “Sand-

  seed horses and special treatment even when they’re no longer

  spe
cial.”

  He appeared to be unarmed, but his combative tone set off

  warning signals. I drew my weapons, keeping them down by

  my side. “My mother believes I’m special.”

  He snorted. “She would.”

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  Maria V. Snyder

  I’d had enough. “Is there a point to this conversation? Oth-

  erwise, you’re wasting my time.”

  “I want to know what you’re doing here.”

  “I’m checking on my horse.”

  “Cute. Let me rephrase the question. Why are you bother-

  ing Councilor Moon?”

  Bothering. Interesting word choice. “It’s none of your

  business.”

  “It is my business. I’ve been assigned to protect her.”

  Ah. Zebb. “Then go ask her.”

  He straightened and stepped toward me. A tingle of fear

  swept my body. He wore a short cloak over dark pants and

  knee-high boots. No visible weapons.

  “I already know the lies you fed her. Came to visit and

  stayed to help. What a sweet little girl,” he mocked. “Except

  I know there is nothing sweet about you. You destroyed the

  entire communications network in Sitia. You’re persona non

  grata with the Council, the Master Magicians and most of

  Sitia. Let me ask you again. Why are you here? Who sent you?”

  “I’m not a threat to Tama, so it’s still none of your

  business.”

  “I

  disagree.”

  I shrugged, trying to project a casualness I didn’t feel.

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re going to tell me.”

  I braced for a magical attack, but nothing happened. “Why

  would I?”

  He held up one of my glass messengers. The ugly goat

  ref lected the weak lantern light. I could no longer see if the interior of the goat glowed with magic or not. The glass no

  longer sang to me. Emptiness filled my chest.

  “Because if you don’t tell me, I’m going to broadcast the

  news of your immunity to every magician who still has one

  of these, which includes the Master Magicians and all the

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  55

  Councilors’ bodyguards.” He brandished the messenger in

  my face.

  “I was going to tell them eventually. You’d be saving me

  the trouble.” I kept my voice even.

  “Trouble is what you’re going to be in when I tell them

  you came here to assassinate Councilor Moon.”

  “That’s a lie,” I said, letting my outrage color my tone.

  “Too bad there are only a few precious glass messengers

  left,” Zebb said. “Otherwise, you could tell them the fast way.