“Do they have holding cells?” My explorations hadn’t been as thorough as I’d wanted.
“Not really, but there is a tunnel underground. It’s supposed to be used by the Councilor and her staff to escape during emergencies.”
“Do you know where it goes?” It could be useful.
“No one except the Councilor and Captain Alden should know where it starts and ends. It’s to keep the staff from fleeing without her.” She shrugged. “But if the Councilor wants to break her own rule and tell her aides, then so be it.”
I considered. “All the Councilor Halls in Sitia should have tunnels, including the Citadel’s.”
“They do.” Eve put her hand on my arm, slowing me down. “This information isn’t well known, Opal. I’m telling you because...” She touched her sword’s handle. “Because I have a feeling you might need to use it.”
A twirl of fear spun up my back. “Have you heard or seen something I missed?”
She hesitated for a moment. “No. Call it soldier’s intuition. This whole situation—” Eve gestured to me and the surrounding buildings “—reeks. And Nic agrees. But don’t worry, we have your back.”
I wished I believed her.
* * *
I practiced in stages. The first night, I climbed out the window and scaled down the wall to the ground, then returned to my room without alerting the guard outside the apartment. For the second night, I crept around the dark town, staying in shadows and avoiding the three soldiers patrolling the streets. I repeated ghosting on the third night, but I tripped climbing into my room and landed with a loud thump.
Yanking the blanket from my bed, I wrapped it around my black clothes. I pulled my hair tie out and mussed my hair.
The door flew open. Nic rushed in with his sword drawn. “Hold it right there!”
“It’s me,” I said. “Sorry, I knocked the table over.”
He sheathed his sword. “I should look around just in case.”
I followed him as he checked each room. Moonlight shone through the windows. Unless clouds blocked the sky, I would have to suspend my nocturnal activities for a few nights until the full moon passed.
“You came in quick,” I said. “How did you unlock the door so fast?”
Teeth flashed. “Once you go to bed, I unlock the door. No sense wasting time if you’re attacked.”
It made sense. “Why do you wait until I go to bed? Why not just ask me to leave it open?”
“A locked door gives you a sense of security—helps you sleep. Besides, I’ve seen you fight. If someone ambushed you while you’re awake, you’d do fine until I could get in.”
His compliment about my fighting skills offset his assumption that I felt secure with a locked door. I’ve spent enough time with Janco to know better. A pang of loneliness touched my chest. He would love all my nighttime excursions.
Nic returned to his post. I left the door unlocked, changed into my nightclothes and slid into bed. My whirling thoughts kept sleep at bay. A partner would help. The only other person I trusted was Kade.
His reply to my letter had been carefully worded, but his unhappiness and concern over my decision had been clear. He offered to join me in Fulgor, but I responded with an optimistic assurance that I would visit him before the storm season began.
When the moon waned, I continued my practice sessions. Each night I added a few more steps until I managed to break into the Councilor’s Hall. Fisk’s lock picks and Captain Marrok’s patient instructions paid off as I crept through the kitchen door. With the utmost care, I ascended the stairway and peeked down the hall to the Councilor’s office. Sure enough, a guard stood by her office door.
Hiding under the stairs, I waited. Eventually, another guard crossed the lobby and marched up the steps, relieving the one by the door. I counted footsteps as he climbed to the top level. The thud of boots on stairs grew louder as someone came down. This guard checked the kitchen door. I almost fainted in panic until I remembered I had relocked the door.
He looped around the lobby before joining another next to the main entrance. At least four guards were on duty at night. There could be more assigned to watch Tama’s and Gressa’s suites, but as long as only one remained next to their offices, I should be able to handle him. Should being the key word.
The next three nights, I repeated my nighttime observations, tracking the patterns of the guards. My practice excursions had spanned a total of twelve nights. I had lived in Fulgor for twenty days already—half the hot season. I decided not to waste any more time. The night of the new moon would be ideal to put my plans into action.
* * *
As I expected, the moonless night covered the streets with a thick darkness. Loading my pack with my blowgun, darts and various supplies, I headed to the Councilor’s Hall. Once inside, I dipped the darts into a sleeping potion and attached them to a holder strapped around my upper arm. I smiled, thinking of Fisk. He had suggested I buy all the extras.
Swinging my pack over my shoulders, I waited for the guard change. A few minutes after the rotation finished, I crept up the steps. The lobby’s shadows concealed me from the two men by the main doors.
Crouched on the top step, I reached into my pocket, grasping the glass rat inside. Keeping the bag’s opening tight around my arm, I crushed it. A muffled huff sounded. I froze, waiting for an alarm. A cold wet nose pressed against my hand and fur brushed my fingers. I bit my tongue to keep from yelling.
When nothing happened, I pulled the rat out and placed him on the floor.
Run around the man’s feet twice, then return to me, I instructed in my mind. He scurried to obey.
The guard recoiled, cursed and drew his sword, following the creature. When he came within range of my blowpipe, I shot him with a dart.
“What the...?” He sagged to his knees and collapsed on the floor.
Again I waited as long as possible. Did the guard’s cry reach his colleague? The sound of my heart dominated all my other senses. With no time to waste, I hurried down the hall, popped the lock to Tama’s office and slipped inside. I lit a candle and searched her desk, file cabinets and piles of folders, looking for anything unusual. Scanning budget reports, security reports and inventories, I found no evidence of Tama’s plans.
I abandoned her office and relocked the door. Crossing to Gressa’s door, I paused to listen for footsteps. Thirty minutes remained until the guard change and I planned to be gone in twenty.
Gressa’s office contained the same dull accounting of money and resources. I found the stack of messenger orders. She had gone through them and marked approved or denied. I imagined she stamped the denials with vicious glee, but I wondered if the rejected orders would be presented to me, as well.
With time almost up, I pulled a file of receipts from her desk drawer. Flipping through invoices for glass supplies, sand and equipment, I scanned typical bills for running a glass factory. Except the quantity seemed rather large for four kilns. Perhaps she stockpiled the material at a different location in town or built another glass shop. I searched the sand invoice for an address. The delivery location was in Hubal. I memorized the street name and number before stuffing the file back into the drawer.
I straightened the piles and fixed her chair before leaving. Slipping down the stairs, I reached the kitchen without being seen. But on the other side of the swinging door, I startled a guard.
“Hey!” he yelled, reaching for his sword.
So much for my clean getaway. I ducked my head and rushed him, ramming my shoulder into his solar plexus. He stumbled back with a whoosh. I kept moving forward, but he tackled me to the ground. With his arms around my waist, he leaned all his weight on my back and legs. His gasps to regain his breath sounded in my ear.
My arms were free, but I couldn’t pull away. Pinned, I halted for a heartbeat in pan
ic until I remembered my darts. He called for help as I reached and tore one off, then blindly jabbed. Once asleep, he relaxed. I wiggled out from under him just as the door crashed open. Two guards paused to assess the situation. I didn’t wait. Bolting through the door, I raced out into the night.
Yells and the sound of pounding boots followed me. After a quick glance behind me, I increased my pace. The guards chased me through the streets of Fulgor.
After a nerve-racking flight, I managed to lose them among the empty market stands. I returned to the factory and climbed the drainpipe to my rooms, shaking from the adventure. That was too close. If I had been caught, the consequences would have been...horrible.
And for what? Nothing. Another dire thought shot through me. What if the guards recognized me? Should I run away now? I prowled around the room, trying to decide. And I still needed to search Gressa’s and Tama’s apartments, which would be impossible since the guards would no doubt be on alert.
I plopped onto the bed and reviewed the evening’s events. It was time to admit I needed help. Two people came to mind.
Kade. He was handy in a fight, but had no experience in sneaking around. Besides, he’d promised his parents he would visit for the season. I decided not to bother him.
Janco would have loved the chase through Fulgor’s streets and would drool with happiness at the challenge of getting into the Councilor’s residence. He had offered to help if needed. I decided to send Janco a message in the morning.
When my heart slowed to normal and the buzz of anxiety drained from my mind, I dressed for bed. Before drifting off to sleep, I realized the break-in hadn’t been a complete waste of time. The address in Hubal where the extra glass supplies were delivered could be informative.
22
A commotion in the outer room woke me. Gressa barged into the bedroom with Nic on her heels.
“...here all night,” Nic said. “See?”
Anger simmered in her eyes as she studied me.
I sat up. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone broke into the Councilor’s Hall last night. Someone matching your description.”
I had prepared for this. At least the Hall’s guards weren’t with her. Jumping from bed, I let concern fill my face. “Is the Councilor all right? Did she get hurt?” I ignored the accusation for now.
She hesitated. “Tama is fine. No one was hurt.”
“Thank fate.” I relaxed with mock relief, then pressed my lips together. “What did they steal? Not that beautiful vase you made for her? That’s priceless!” I stroked her ego.
Confusion replaced anger. “Nothing was taken.”
“Oh.” I blinked at her for a moment before putting a hand to my breast in horror. “You said the intruder looked like me. You don’t think I...?”
Nic opened his mouth, but snapped it shut when she glared at him.
“No. Of course not. I’m checking to make sure no one tried to break in here. The person could have been after your messengers.”
“Did you examine the cabinet? Lee always locks them inside after they’re done annealing.”
“No. I wanted to ensure you were safe first.”
Her quick recovery and fast lies were impressive. I met Nic’s gaze. He seemed awed, as well, but smoothed his expression before Gressa noticed. We went through the motions, inspecting the cabinet, counting glass messengers in the annealing oven and speculating on reasons why someone would break into the Councilor’s Hall and not steal anything.
Eventually she left and I started my day. After sending a message to Janco by courier, I worked in the factory. As I crafted messengers, my thoughts kept returning to the address I found last night. Gressa had been ordering enough supplies for eight kilns with half going to Hubal. Why? No logical reason popped to mind. I would have to visit Hubal. It was a small town located about twenty miles northeast of Fulgor.
One problem. I needed to ditch my escorts for a couple of days. Plus, I would need to wait. If I disappeared right after the break-in, Gressa’s suspicion would return to me. It would also be prudent to be here for Janco or his reply.
On horseback, the messenger should reach the Ixian border in a day, delivering the note to the border guards. Assuming Janco was at the Commander’s Castle, he would receive my request in five days. If he left that day, the earliest he would arrive was ten days from now. Too bad the Commander banned all magic in Ixia. Otherwise, I could have contacted Janco via my glass messenger and halved the time.
Though sensible, my plan to wait produced an anxiety-inducing edginess. I imagined Tricky spreading his knowledge of blood magic like a stain, tainting everything it touched with red.
I followed my routine and tried to mask my impatience for action. After ten days of waiting, I twitched at every noise. By day twelve, I decided to go to Hubal without Janco.
Determined to pack and slip out the window that night, I fidgeted while Nic swept the apartment for intruders. He gave me the all-clear signal and left, guarding the door.
I barreled into the bedroom and skidded to a stop. Janco lounged on my bed with his hands laced behind his head and a smug smile on his face.
Recovering from my surprise, I said, “About time.”
He huffed. “Not quite the welcome I expected.”
“Thanks for coming. Is that better?”
“No. I imagined you would be so impressed by my ability to get past your watchdog, and so grateful for my arrival you would throw yourself at my feet and promise me your undying gratitude.”
It was nice to know he hadn’t changed. “If you can get free ale at the pub with that story, you can go ahead and use it.”
“Is this an official damsel-in-distress call? ’Cause that would help me with Ari. He’s going to be pissed I left. Especially since we had to explain to Valek how we managed to lose a smuggler.”
“Yes, it’s an official D-I-D call.”
“Ooh...I like.” He patted the bed, inviting me to join him. When I was comfortable, he said, “Spill.”
I explained everything. It felt as if the story lasted hours. Janco asked a few questions, then scratched the scar under his right ear. A queasy expression settled on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He grimaced. “Well... If Yelena says souls can’t be switched, I’m inclined to believe her. There’s no reason for her to lie.”
I rushed to assure him. “I don’t think she’s lying. There are aspects of blood magic that we don’t know about. Just because she can’t switch souls doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”
“And you want to find proof?”
“Yes.”
Mischief danced in his eyes. “How can I help?”
* * *
“Just an overnight trip,” I said to Gressa. “Quartz needs the exercise and I could use some fresh air.”
“But you haven’t finished the messengers for the Council yet. And we have orders waiting.” She tapped her fingers on the inventory list.
Time for a concession. “Why don’t you keep half the messengers for our clients. The Council should have enough for now.”
She brightened at the idea and agreed to my day off. I hoped my trip to Hubal would net us information. Janco had made many forays into the Councilor’s Hall and Tama’s and Gressa’s apartments without finding a bit of evidence. Disheartening unless they kept their files in another location.
The next morning, I packed a few things. Eve arrived to relieve Nic and I told her about my plans.
“Let’s stop by the station and I’ll grab my stuff,” Eve said.
“No offense, Eve, but I need some time to myself. No one has attacked me and no one knows where I’m going. I’ll be safe.”
“What about on the roads? You could be followed.”
“I could, b
ut I doubt they’d catch me. Quartz is a Sandseed horse. Besides, I don’t plan to stop at any travel shelters or camp on the road. There’s a half-dozen small towns within a day’s ride. I’ll stay at an inn and be back by tomorrow afternoon. Promise.”
Her frown didn’t ease. “What if they trail you to the inn and ambush you there?”
Damn. Since she didn’t know about Janco, she had a good point. I thought fast. “How about if you watch me and see if anyone follows me from Fulgor. If no one does, then you don’t have to worry.”
“And if someone does?” she asked.
“Then please catch up.”
She laughed. “Where are you going?”
“South to Chandra. I’ll walk Quartz the first hour. If you don’t show up, I’ll assume no one is trailing me.”
She agreed with reluctance. Quartz squirmed as I saddled her. She was as anxious as I to be on the road. She trotted at the slightest movement from me, and holding her to a walk was difficult. I headed south, trying to keep a lookout for a tail, but didn’t notice anyone. After an hour, I touched Quartz with my heels. She broke into a gallop in an instant.
After a few miles, I turned her east, then northeast. I realized how easy it had been to lie to Eve. She trusted me, yet I wondered if the ease had come from me. My stomach used to get upset when I needed to go undercover. New Opal lied without remorse, playing Gressa and Tama’s game like a professional. I’d had a number of setbacks, but I’d learned how to be deceitful and ruthless.
Unfortunately I failed to factor in cheating.
* * *
The trip to Hubal was uneventful. I enjoyed the quiet hush that only a hot-season day could produce. The heat pressed down like a blanket with an occasional cicada’s rattle piercing the stillness.
No clouds marred the sky and few travelers walked on the road. Quartz burned off her energy until her coat gleamed with sweat. She slowed and I let her choose a pace. I glanced behind us from time to time. Janco trailed me, but he remained hidden.
We arrived in Hubal in the early afternoon. The downtown area spanned three blocks and included a handful of businesses. Most of the residents worked in the nearby quarries, digging out the white marble used to construct Sitia’s government buildings. There was little activity on the unmarked streets, making it near impossible for me to find the Boulder Street address listed in Gressa’s files.