Leif shot me a wide grin when he stopped Rusalka next to Kiki. Faint bruises darkened his face. Dirt and blood stained his travel clothes, and he appeared tired.
“I’m so glad to see you.” Leif hopped off the saddle and pulled me into a hug. “When Fisk’s people said you’d passed by over ten days ago, I worried you wouldn’t wait for us.” He released me and peered around. “Wait. We’re far from the shelter. What happened? Where’s Mara?”
“She’s fine. She’s back at camp with the others.” I gestured to Kiki. “We went for a ride, and she must have sensed Rusalka and decided to intercept you.”
“Where’s the camp?”
Unable to hold it in any longer, I asked, “Where’s Valek?”
“He’s fine.” Leif grabbed my arm to steady me. “He stayed behind to wait for Opal.”
“Why?” I glanced at Devlen and Reema. Both looked equally exhausted, although Reema waved and smiled at me.
“Long story. I’ll tell you later. How far is the camp?”
“Another day at least.”
He frowned. “That must have been some ride.”
“We’ve all been so worried about you. And I would stay with you, but Onora will have a fit if I don’t return.” Probably too late. We’d been gone most of the afternoon.
“Onora?”
“Valek didn’t tell you about Cahil?”
“No, but we were together for only a few hours.”
“It’s a long story, as well. At least we’ll have lots to talk about while we wait for Valek and Opal.” And that reminded me. Mara. She needed Leif. “On second thought, maybe you should go on ahead, and I’ll stay with Reema and Devlen.”
Leif stilled. “Why?”
I led him away from young ears and told him about her terrifying experience.
A cold, hard fury blazed in his gaze. “I’ll kill them.”
“She might beat you to it.”
He grabbed my arms. “What are you talking about?”
I explained how she was training to be “dangerous.”
He released his painful grip on my biceps. “Oh, no, she’s not. I’m not allowing her to get involved in any more danger.”
Remembering Mara’s where-you-go-I-go declaration, I asked, “Does that mean you’ll stay away from danger, as well?”
He growled at me. “Of course not.”
“Then good luck with that.”
He huffed with annoyance, then strode back to Rusalka. “Where’s the camp?”
“I’m sure Kiki has told Rusalka the location. Please tell Onora where I am.”
“All right.” Leif mounted and urged his horse into a gallop. They soon disappeared.
“Are we stopping for the night?” Devlen asked.
Kiki grazed nearby. She needed more time to recover. “Yes. You both look like you could use the rest.”
“Leif’s been setting a fast pace.” Devlen dismounted stiffly, then helped Reema down. “Reema, please go find some branches to start a fire.”
She ran her hands through her curls, dislodging a few clumps of dried mud. “You know I’ll find out what happened to Aunt Mara eventually. No need to send me off so the adults can talk.”
“Reema.” His warning tone did nothing to discourage her.
She shrugged but did as he asked.
“She is very perceptive,” Devlen said. “Although in this case, it does not take a genius to guess Mara is the reason for Leif’s dismay.”
I filled him in as I helped him take care of his horse, who was introduced to me as Sunfire.
His reaction to Mara’s rough treatment matched Leif’s. “I shall be happy to assist them both in ensuring those men are punished.”
That evening, Reema told me an elaborate campfire tale. I listened without interrupting. By the end, when she finished with how she’d helped Valek rescue her father and Leif, I’d learned quite a bit about Reema. She would be a force to be reckoned with in the future. The very near future, if she had any say in the matter.
“Why is Valek waiting for Opal?” I asked Devlen.
Lines of worry etched his face, but he tried to keep his tone light as he explained her trip to find Master Magician Zitora. While he talked, Reema snuggled closer to her father.
I remained sitting, despite my heart urging me to jump up and down at the possible good news. Instead, in an effort not to get my hopes up regarding Zitora, I asked, “Was Opal successful?”
“I have not received any word from her, but I was incarcerated for most of the time she has been gone. The Cartel may have intercepted a message from her.”
That would be bad. Really bad. The Cartel knew enough tricks to capture Zitora, and when the Theobroma didn’t work on her, they’d realize it hadn’t worked on Bain and Irys, either. I considered. Opal left on her mission when Valek and I were still Bruns’s prisoners. Once we escaped, we sent a message warning them, but by then it was too late.
The best-case scenario would be Opal helping Zitora and convincing her to return as an active Master Magician. Since Opal was unaware of the Cartel’s existence, Zitora would probably travel to the Citadel. In that case, we would need to stop her. Nothing I could do about it at the moment. Instead of rushing off, I chatted until they tried to hide their fatigue. Then I ordered them to go to sleep. Plus, if we left at dawn, we might reach the camp without having to stop for the night.
As the flames burned low, I stared at the darkening sky. Stars popped into view. More and more of them, until points of white fire glittered from every inch. A strange sensation in my abdomen distracted me from the spectacle. Just a light stroke, as if a fingertip traced a line on my skin. But the touch came from the inside of my body. Odd. After it happened the second time, I had an inkling of the cause. To confirm my suspicions, I reached underneath my tunic and rested my hands on my lower stomach. When it occurred again, I felt the gentle flutter from both sides.
The baby had grown big enough for me to feel its movements. Excited and amazed by the truly unique experience, I kept my fingers splayed over the bulge. The baby was about eighteen weeks along, and I wondered when I’d be unable to hide the telltale bump.
The light touches continued, and I wished Valek’s hand rested next to mine. A pang of loneliness and worry gnawed on my heart. I hoped we’d be together soon.
* * *
The next day, we arrived at camp late. Everyone was asleep except Onora. She materialized from the darkness as soon as Kiki stopped.
“We need to work on our communication,” she said.
“Oh?” I dismounted and stretched. “I told Leif—”
“Your definition of ‘not gone long’ and mine are completely different.”
“Talk to Kiki. She’s the one who changed the plan.” Unless... I wondered if she had sensed Rusalka before we even left. I’d have to remember to ask her if I ever recovered my magic. Funny how that uncertainty no longer squeezed my heart with anxiety.
Onora frowned.
I chuckled. “It’s all part of that ‘herding snow cats’ Ari and Janco warned you about. You’ll get used to it.”
“I doubt it,” she muttered, but she helped us take care of the horses.
Reema peered at her in between yawns. “Are you the assassin who wants Uncle Valek’s job?”
“Eventually, yes.” Onora considered the young girl. “Are you thinking of challenging me for it?”
“Oh, no. I’m not skilled enough,” Reema demurred.
But Onora was too smart to fall for it. “Uh-huh. From what I’ve been hearing, you could put the sass into assassin.”
Reema’s grin erased all signs of innocence. “Ooh, I like! But don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to limit myself by working for the Commander.”
“Free agent?”
“Something like that.”
“Reema, it is time for bed,” Devlen said. “You can finish your conversation later. Like, ten years later.”
In the morning, we gathered around the campfire and exchanged information. Mara leaned on Leif, who sat behind her with his arms wrapped around her torso.
“Time is not on our side,” I said. “Leif and Mara, you’ll join up with Esau and Nutty in the jungle. I need you to protect him while he cultivates the Frosty Pod. If the Cartel discovers what he’s doing, they’ll come after him. The rendezvous is at the Illiais Market on day forty.”
Leif nodded, then said, “Since we can’t use Valek’s sleeping potion anymore, I’ll brew up my own recipe. It takes longer to kick in and doesn’t last as long, but it’s better than nothing.”
“Thanks.” I glanced around. “Ari and Janco, once we learn where Teegan and the twins have relocated, you’ll need to join them and escort them to the Illiais Market, along with a Stormdancer. Doesn’t matter which one.”
“How do we deduce their new location?” Janco asked.
“One of Fisk’s people will know.”
“What about you?” Ari asked.
“Onora and I will stay at the Citadel—or rather, outside the Citadel—to keep an eye out for Zitora, Valek and Opal.”
Ari crossed his arms. “It’s not safe for you to be that close. One of Fisk’s kids can watch for them, and you can come with us.”
“Zitora won’t listen to a strange kid. I need to talk to her myself.”
“What if you miss Valek? He’ll be upset if you’re not here.”
Janco huffed in amusement. “Upset is too mild a word. Try furious.”
I ignored him. “Kiki can sense other Sandseed horses. If Opal is with him, then Kiki will pick up on Quartz, and if he’s alone, then Valek’ll skirt the plains. We’ll ride close to the western border in case we see him or Zitora.”
“That’s risking a lot for a long shot,” Ari said. “Opal’s trip could have been for nothing.” He glanced at Devlen. “No offense.”
“None taken. There is a chance you are right.”
I used a firm tone. “Either way, I need to update Fisk and learn where we are regarding stopping the Cartel.” No one argued. This time. “Devlen, you can either wait here for Opal or come with us to the Citadel.”
His gaze lingered on Reema before he spoke. “Leif is on the Cartel’s most wanted list. They will have watchers on all the roads, and he and Mara might be intercepted before he reaches the jungle.”
“Hey, I’m not that easy to catch,” Leif protested.
“Oh? What about Fulgor?”
“I...” Leif snapped his mouth closed.
“Devlen, there’s not much we can do about that,” I said. “The spores are our best chance to cut off their supply of Theobroma.”
“I understand. Which is why Reema and I will travel with Leif and Mara. Reema can stay with her grandparents in Booruby, and I will help protect Esau.”
“No,” Reema said, scrambling to her feet. “I should go with Aunt Yelena and Onora.”
I shook my head. “You’re—”
“You’re gonna need me.”
“We are?”
“Yup. You’re gonna need to sneak into the Citadel at some point, and I can get you in.”
“Fisk has an entire network of guild members who can help us,” I said. “They know the Citadel inside and out.”
“Yeah, but they don’t know people like I do. And that helper kid we talked to said even they are having a hard time getting through the gate.”
“I’m okay with it,” Onora said.
“I am not,” Devlen said with force. “Reema, you are coming with me.”
She sulked, but it was the right decision. Bad enough Devlen and everyone here were risking their lives. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to Reema.
Energized by our prospective tasks, we prepared to depart. While Leif mixed some leaves into a pot of boiling water for his sleeping potion, I promised Devlen to inform Opal of his plans.
“How long will Valek wait for her?” he asked me in a low voice.
“Until she returns.”
“But what if she...” He swallowed hard, clearly unable to utter the dire words.
I touched his arm. “Does he know where she was headed?”
“Yes.”
“Then he will track her down and bring her home.”
“But the Cartel—”
“One problem at a time. Right now, we’re lying low until we determine how best to attack them. By then, Valek will be back.”
He smiled his thanks and strode over to help Reema saddle Sunfire. I fingered Valek’s butterfly pendant, or rather, the lump it made underneath my tunic. My confident comment to Devlen left a bitter taste in my mouth. Everyone looked to me for leadership, but I had no idea if anything we were planning would even work. All I knew was that we couldn’t give up.
Leif finished concocting his sleeping draft. He distributed vials to everyone, warning us about its limits again.
“How long does it take?” I asked him.
“About a minute or two, depending on how big the person is. For Ari and Devlen, it would take even longer. Oh, and it doesn’t affect some people at all, which is why we don’t use it for critical situations.”
Lovely. “Is there a way to know who it will work on?”
“Nope.”
I rubbed my forehead. Best to focus on the positive.
Right before Leif and his group left, Reema rushed over to me. She thrust a folded cloak into my arms. “You’re gonna need this.”
“What is it?”
“A mirror illusion is woven into the fabric. When you wear it, you’ll blend into your surroundings.”
Amazed, I struggled to find an appropriate response. “How—?”
“The guys who followed us from the rescue had them. I forgot to tell you, sorry!”
Considering all that had happened to her, I wasn’t surprised she’d missed a few details. But the implications that the Cartel had these threatened to overwhelm me. I concentrated on Reema instead. “You should hold on to it. It’ll keep you safe.”
She waved it off. “I’m not gonna need it to hide at my grandparents’. Besides, even if I used it, my grandma would find me anyway. I swear the woman always knows when Teegan and I are doing something we...er... Gotta go. Bye!” She dashed back to Sunfire.
Sitting on Rusalka, Leif laughed. “May I make a suggestion?”
“Of course,” I said.
“Don’t hire her to babysit.”
* * *
Two days later, I waited with Ari and the horses while Janco and Onora scouted for an ideal location to make camp. It had to be close enough to the Citadel to keep an eye on traffic flowing to and from the city, but far enough away that we wouldn’t be spotted by the Cartel’s patrols.
Ari burned off his excess energy by grooming Whiskey. The horse groaned in pleasure over the extra-hard rub. I wondered if Ari would rather be out scouting than babysitting me.
“What’s wrong?” Ari asked.
“Nothing, why?”
“That’s t*he third time you’ve glanced at me with your concerned face. That usually means bad news.”
“No. I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“Why didn’t you go with Janco instead of Onora?”
“She’s better.” His tone was matter-of-fact.
“Does that bother you?”
“Well, there’s always that bit of jealousy when some young recruit is faster or stronger or smarter, but she’s part of our herd. And, you know...” He gestured with the curry comb. “Best man for the job, and all that.”
“No bruised ego?”
He laughed. “I don’t have an ego. Janco has enough for both of us.”
True. I fed all the horses a peppermint. Kiki thanked me with a sticky lick. An hour later, Janco and Onora returned.
“We found this sweet little spot at the base of a hill,” Janco said. “We can climb the hill and see the Citadel’s eastern gate, clear as day.”
“So why do you look so glum?” I asked.
He rubbed his right ear. “You know all those rug rats of Fisk’s—the ones who’ve been keeping watch on the roads?”
An uneasiness rolled through me. “Yes.”
“They’re all gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Ari asked.
“They’ve disappeared.”
“Are you sure?”
Janco gave Ari a give-me-a-break look. “A couple locals heard rumors that a patrol picked them all up.”
“A random sweep, or with intent?” Ari asked.
“They wouldn’t arrest kids unless the Cartel had information,” Onora said. “The Sitians wouldn’t stand for their children being taken, but the guild members don’t have families.”
They might not have parents and relatives, but they had Fisk. Which meant...
I closed my eyes as the awful news sank heavily in my stomach. “The Cartel has captured Fisk.” The words were barely a whisper.
No one corrected me.
“Now what?” Janco asked.
“We have to get into the Citadel,” I said, opening my eyes. Reema’s comment about needing her help repeated in my mind, but I shoved it down. At least we had the illusion cloak. “Once inside, we’ll need to determine what’s going on, and then rescue Fisk.”
“That’s a tall order,” Janco said.
“I’m aware of that,” I snapped, but regretted my harshness immediately. In a softer tone, I asked Janco to show us the spot they’d found to make camp.
He led us to a small clearing in the forest northeast of the Citadel, nestled between the road to Fulgor and the road to Owl’s Hill. At the base of a hill, the ground was damper than ideal for bedrolls, but as he’d claimed, the view from the top was worth the extra chilly nights and weaker fires.