What indeed?
“I am not going to torture her.” He braced for Ulrick’s response.
Son of a bitch!
Ulrick stilled. “Why not?”
“I—”
“He doesn’t have to,” I said before Devlen could finish. “I’ve been thinking...”
“And?” Ulrick prompted.
I drew in a deep breath. My thoughts raced. “And, you’re both right. I’ll give in after a couple days so why waste my energy? Besides, I’m not going to hurt anyone.” I sounded as if I tried to convince myself, pretending to be a cowardly rat. Pretending?
Eyeing me with suspicion, Ulrick failed to appear convinced. “I figured you’d fight it for a while. Too easy.”
“He brought three clamps, Ulrick. Three points! Have you ever felt the pain of one point?”
“No.”
“Show him,” I said to Devlen. “Please.” I let panic fill my voice.
The men glanced at each other. Ulrick shrugged. “I’ve always been curious.” He held out his arm.
Devlen grabbed his wrist, pinching the joint. Ulrick dropped to his knees. Surprise and agony flashed on his face. Devlen held the point a moment longer, then let go.
“That was...impressive.” Ulrick touched his wrist and considered. “Why did you bring three?”
“I used two on her before and she lasted two days. I hoped three would speed up the process.”
Ulrick stood. “Two days...” He absently rubbed his arm, then turned to Devlen. “Are you sure she’ll cooperate?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We’ve gotten word Master Cowan is heading our way. We must prepare for her arrival.”
“Zitora? Why is she coming?” I asked.
“Another one of your surprises, but this time it worked for us.”
“My surprise?” Now I was confused.
“Your soldier friend from Fulgor. Janco told her about the factory before he came here to rescue you. She took off. Instead of reporting your disappearance to her commanding officer or to Councilor Moon, she sent a message to the Magician’s Keep. I’d wanted more time to get ready, but the situation is perfect. I’d rather pick off one Master at a time than be attacked by all three at once.”
They left. Once again, my thoughts plagued me. Zitora headed toward a trap, and I had leaped to Devlen’s aid. Either Devlen told the truth or I had been manipulated. At this point, it didn’t matter.
* * *
Time moved. I marked days by meals. Three meals equaled one day. Devlen visited, explaining Ulrick and Tricky’s plans for surprising Zitora. I ceased to care. She would be safe from me.
My muscles ached from standing. Blood ran down my arms from donating to Tricky’s protection. At least he stayed on task and his hands didn’t explore.
I had failed miserably. My goal to prove Devlen and Ulrick had switched souls would never be achieved. I did hope my efforts would save Zitora. Once she knew about Tricky and the blood magic, she would put a stop to it.
After six days of counting, Devlen arrived to escort me to the kilns. My legs cramped and I held on to his arm as we climbed the stairs.
“Ulrick, Tricky and I will be in the mixing room,” Devlen said. “They have grafted a null shield onto the wall so Zitora will not be able to sense them. But they have drilled holes and can blow a Curare-laced dart at her if they need to. Len and Boar are your guards. There are orbs nearby.”
“Where is Aubin?”
“He has been sent away in case they are not successful. The plan is for you to siphon her power as soon as she enters the kiln area.”
I stopped on the top step. “Why would she come in? Won’t she be suspicious?”
“Yes, she will be. She believes you have been caught by Tricky and Devlen.” He gave me a wry smile. “She is here to rescue you. They have staged leaving the building and going to town, presenting the perfect opportunity for Zitora.” He hesitated. “You are not going to drain her, are you?”
I refused to answer.
“They will shoot her with a dart. They are protected from her magic.” He wrapped me in an embrace. “Whatever you are planning, I will help you.”
At that moment, I believed him. Why not? I closed my eyes, soaking in his warmth and musky smell. “You managed to fool me again.”
“No. You are starting to trust yourself. I would not have been able to fool you as Ulrick if you trusted your instincts.”
I created a mess when using my instincts. Logic failed to work, as well. My plan looked better and better. I only wished Kade held me for my final moments instead of Devlen. But at least I would be able to ask Devlen a few more questions.
I pulled away to meet his gaze. “How did you switch souls? Yelena said it was impossible.”
“A complete blood transfusion. Remember the device Tricky used on The Flats to siphon your blood?”
I nodded.
“My invention. Except I used a bigger and faster device to drain all the blood from Ulrick.”
“But he would have died.”
“Yes, except for magic. I told you I was a Story Weaver, but I also had a little healing magic. Enough to keep us alive while we exchanged blood.”
Like he had said, Blood magic with a twist. “You did the same for Akako and Tama.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I wish I had a more noble reason, but it was for money. I needed money and Akako paid me well.”
The door to the basement jerked open.
“What’s taking so long?” Len demanded. “The magician’s getting close.”
“Opal is weak. She almost passed out.” Devlen hauled me up the final step. “Help me with her.”
I pretended to swoon.
Len grabbed my arm. “Damn. Will she be able to—”
“Yes. She will be fine once she sits down.”
Our little parade ended at the gaffer’s bench. I “caught” my breath and took stock of my surroundings. Boar loomed on one side, and a couple of orbs rested on the floor next to the bench.
“Does anyone know how to gather?” I asked the men.
Devlen moved toward the kiln.
“No,” Boar said. “Tricky warned us not to give her molten glass.”
I huffed. “How are we going to convince Zitora I’m working for you if I don’t have a slug?”
“Here,” Len said, handing me an orb. “Pretend you’re inspecting the glass. Devlen, you’d better go.”
The orb throbbed under my hands, and I tried to sense Boar’s magic. Nothing. Odd. If he was protected by a null shield, Zitora would believe I was alone, which would blow the whole captured ruse. In fact, all she needed to do was read my thoughts and know everything.
Unless they had grafted null shields on the other walls. My head hurt. Too many possibilities. All that mattered was I held glass and I felt magic. I didn’t need to wait for Zitora. Break, cut and let my blood run.
I lifted the sphere, aiming for the edge of the metal rod holder on the bench. The crack rang louder than the kiln’s hum. A perfect piece with a sharp edge remained in my hand. I pushed it against my throat.
“Opal, stop!” Zitora stood at the door, pure fury radiating from her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Boar and Len moved closer to me. Their weapons were drawn.
“Run away,” I shouted. “It’s a trap.”
She entered the room, but kept her distance.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Now fury claimed me. “Of course you wouldn’t listen to me! Poor deluded Opal.” I gestured at her with my glass shard. “Who can’t be trusted. Go away. I can take care of all the problems I have caused right now.” I placed the shard on my throat. Yet I hesitated.
A cold wash of sudden knowledge drenched me. I realized Zitora had come. If she didn’t care for me, she wouldn’t be here. She trusted me with her life and that was considerably more important than a few secrets.
Taking control of my situation hadn’t caused the trouble. The real trouble started long ago because I had let others decide. Those small rebellions over the glass messengers were a child’s temper tantrum compared to how I should have reacted. I should have demanded to be involved from the beginning. Should have trusted myself. Devlen was right. I almost laughed.
Zitora sensed my emotions, yet she pretended otherwise. “What are you waiting for?” she asked. “Slit your throat and take the coward’s way out.” She stepped forward. “Or do you want me to do it for you?”
I understood. “You would enjoy that, wouldn’t you? Payback for not letting you know about my siphoning powers. I knew you were angry.”
“You’re right.” She closed the distance between us.
By this time, we were almost nose to nose.
“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything, but you didn’t have to shut me out!” I shouted.
“I was trying to protect you, but I realize now it was the wrong thing to do.”
“Too late.” I scooped up an empty orb. The glass pulsed under my fingertips.
“Feel better now?” she asked.
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Anytime.” She spun. Hooking her ankle behind Len’s calves, she yanked his feet out from under him. She backed toward the wall as Boar lunged for her.
The wall! I forgot! “Watch out for—”
Two puffs sounded as Zitora dived for the floor. The side door opened. Tricky, Ulrick and Devlen rushed in.
“I hit her on the arm,” Devlen said. “She’s not getting up.”
Ulrick rounded on Devlen. “You said she would cooperate.” He punched him in the stomach.
Devlen doubled over. Tricky pulled his sword and pointed the tip at him.
Confused, I wondered why Tricky hadn’t used his magic. Since no one paid any attention to me, I assessed the others through the orb’s glass. I felt no magic from Tricky or the other men. Again with the null shields...yet Zitora’s magic burned hot, which meant Devlen lied about hitting her.
“You can’t drain her now,” Ulrick said to me. “The Curare in her will block your magic.”
Devlen straightened and tugged his shirt down. Snap. I understood. The null shields had been woven into their clothing to protect them from Zitora’s magic just in case I refused to cooperate. If I ripped their shirts open, I wondered if the shield would break.
Len scrambled to his feet.
“Len and Boar, carry Zitora downstairs. Tricky—”
“Kill Devlen.” Tricky stepped forward as the other two bent over Zitora.
She gained her feet and yelled, “Now!” She tossed me a switchblade, then targeted Boar and Len.
I caught the weapon in midair, triggering the blade. Ulrick brandished his sword and Devlen dodged Tricky’s attack.
Ulrick advanced on me. A switchblade was no match against a sword.
“Put the knife down,” Ulrick ordered. “We’ll wait for the others to finish.”
“No.” I bolted for the line of pontil irons and blowpipes, grabbing an iron as I ducked his swing. I countered his next stroke with the iron. The harsh clang vibrated through my hands.
I managed to protect myself from his blade, but I knew my arms would soon tire from wielding the heavy rod. I glanced around. Zitora knocked Boar to the ground. Impressive. I didn’t know she could fight. An unmistakable thump meant Len joined his friend. Devlen and Tricky wrestled for the sword.
Countering a lunge, I spun to the side. Zitora rushed to help me.
“No. Help Devlen,” I said.
She shot me a confused look.
“Help Ulrick, then.” I backed away from another strike.
But the real Ulrick stopped trying to disarm me and pulled off his shirt. “Time for magic.”
Tricky shoved Devlen, letting him take the sword. He ripped his shirt off. Len and Boar stayed on the ground, but they yanked at their clothes. Tattoos covered all the men’s torsos. Magic saturated the air. Zitora’s magic cooled and disappeared as a null shield surrounded her.
The orb almost leaped from my hands, yet my blood in the men’s skin protected them. I couldn’t siphon their power.
Four magicians against one were terrible odds—even for a Master Magician.
25
The confidence faded from Zitora’s expression as her lips parted in surprise. Another trick, I hoped.
Devlen pulled at his shirt. “A null shield has been woven into the fabric,” he explained.
“Clever. Did you know null shields could be manipulated like that, Opal?” she asked.
I squirmed a bit. “Yes. They attached one to a net to capture Kade.”
She turned to me and I wanted to melt into the floor.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked. Her icy voice shot through me.
“Well...um...we didn’t want it to become...you know.” I made a vague gesture, but she stayed silent. “Become like null shields and Curare. Where everyone knows about it and can use it.” Weak excuse. I stifled a groan.
She waited. At least she didn’t point out the obvious. If I had told her, we wouldn’t be here.
“If you believed me about Devlen...” I clung to a slippery surface. Finally I let go. “All right, I admit it. I made another terrible mistake. At least I’m good at something!”
“You should be proud,” she said.
“No more fake fights,” Ulrick said. “Are you going to surrender or do we need to force you?”
“Such choices. I’ll go with the forced option. I have my pride.” She slid her feet into a fighting stance.
Tricky shook his head. “She’s too dangerous. Kill her now and be done with it.”
The four men shared a look.
“Now’s a good time to spring your surprise,” I said to Zitora.
“What surprise?” she asked.
Not good. “Your backup plan.”
“Sorry, Opal.”
Why didn’t she pretend to have backup? Her pointed gaze said it all. I would have to be her backup.
The men advanced on her. She looked tiny and fragile in comparison to the muscular men. Devlen moved to help her, but froze, ensnared by Tricky’s magic.
Tricky smiled. “You’re next, traitor.”
I kept still to avoid being trapped like Devlen. Zitora defended herself, but, without magic, four proved to be too many for her. She didn’t last long. Three held her. Tricky gestured at me and the switchblade flew from my hand and into his.
Genuine panic flashed in her eyes. I kept expecting a miracle or an army to break through the door, but Tricky drew his arm back to strike.
“Wait!” I screamed, gaining everyone’s attention. “Don’t kill her. I’ll siphon her powers. I promise.”
“I’d rather die,” she said. The truth.
“I’ll do it and I’ll even promise to drain the rest of the Master Magicians and Yelena.”
“No.” She bucked and thrashed, but they held tight.
Ulrick laughed. “Almost, Opal. You almost had us. We would have to remove the null shield for your plan to work, giving Zitora access to her power.”
“It would only be for a spilt second,” I said.
“But then you wouldn’t go through with it,” Ulrick reasoned. “Tricky.”
He stabbed her in the stomach with the switchblade.
He buried it up to the hilt.
He twisted the knife.
Blood spurted out.
The world faded. Sound disappeared. Color drained. Black
ness crept into the edges of my vision.
The glass in my hands burned my fingers, seared my palms as magic potential sizzled along my arms. One thought slammed into me. Break the null shield and Zitora can heal herself.
Anchored by my blood, their magic resisted my efforts.
Break the null shield and Zitora can heal herself.
Her face paled to ghost white. Red liquid puddled around her. I clamped down on an hysterical giggle. Died from blood loss. Killed by blood magic.
Not enough blood. Too much blood. Blood transfusions. Blood protection. My blood. Everything connected to blood.
My heart choked and coughed in my chest as the answer hit me. My blood.
I used my glass magic on the men. Instead of reaching for their power and drawing it into the orb, I reclaimed my magic. My blood in their skin linked us. Our magic intertwined. They collapsed to the floor in agony as the power flowed from them and into me. But I couldn’t hold all the magic inside me. As soon as I relaxed, it would return to them. I would have to purge it. All of it, including my own magic.
I didn’t hesitate. I had been willing to give my life. My magic was an easier price to pay. Diamonds filled the orb, ringing out with a clear and steady sound. They rained onto the floor. A hailstorm of diamonds.
I closed my eyes, gathered the last of our powers and purged it. A searing pain shattered me, reducing me to tiny shards like crushed sea glass.
After a few more pings sounded, I opened my eyes. I lay on the ground surrounded by diamonds. My last thought dwelled on the beautiful sparkles.
Much prettier than slitting my own throat.
My world ceased to exist.
* * *
I expected peace. I expected to float free—unconnected and unconcerned. Unfortunately, the unexpected and annoying chatter of voices kept intruding on my peaceful afterlife.
I peered through a slit in my eyelids. My entire family sat or stood around the room. They talked. They argued. My mother interrogated Kade. By the poor guy’s panicked expression, I knew her questions had to be of a personal nature. Mara whispered to Leif. Ahir and my father discussed glass.
No Zitora or Janco. I hoped their absence was due to anything other than death. I closed my eyes, letting the voices flow over me. Though pleased to be alive, I had no energy for the inevitable questions. In my mind, I calculated how many travel days my parents needed to arrive in Hubal, assuming I remained in the town. Nine days on horseback at the minimum, and Kade would need ten.