“I’m very familiar with that annoying aspect of your personality.” Sarcasm sharpened my tone. I sat up. “Sorry, this has all been...”
“Overwhelming.”
“Yes. Can you tell me if my magic returns?”
“No.” He held out a hand. “Your future story threads do not reveal the answer. Both futures are equally possible.”
That meant I’d have a fifty-percent chance of regaining my magic. Better than zero chance. The black despair that had stained my thoughts since I’d woken without magic receded a fraction.
“What should I do next?” I asked, not expecting an answer.
“You should return and finish what you started.”
Ah. “I can’t. They’ll die.”
“How do you know this?”
I searched my memories. A vague image of Ben accompanied the red-hot knowledge that my presence would result in death. “I just...know.”
“A powerful magician has altered your memories, planting this fear inside you.”
“Ben Moon or maybe Cilly and Loris Cloud Mist?” They might have the talent.
“I do not know.”
“Can you fix it?”
“No. You must learn to ignore this fear.”
Easier said than done. I huffed. “You know, the longer I spend with you, the less I miss Moon Man.”
“Thank you.”
Curiosity replaced my apprehension. “Why did you name him Moon Man?”
Midnight Son smiled, revealing big white teeth. “He was conceived during a full moon and born on the night of a full moon, so we named him Moon. Fitting, since the boy never liked to wear clothing. The Man came after his Story Weaver powers manifested. He thought Moon was not...impressive enough.” Midnight Son laughed.
I soaked in the sound of his laughter, closing my eyes and imagining Moon Man standing there scowling at his father for embarrassing him. Then again, Moon Man wouldn’t be embarrassed. He’d be scolding me for running away without thinking it through.
But what could I do without my magic?
“It is a shame that people without access to the power blanket are so helpless. It is a wonder they do not die at an early age.” Midnight Son tsked.
“Don’t start that mind-reading stuff.”
“I am sorry. You wish to wallow in self-pity. I will leave you to your brooding. But I will say this... You should not feel disconnected from your family and friends nor should you fear for their lives. Their story threads are woven with yours. Even without the strand of magic twisted around your story, the rest of your threads remain strong.”
“In other words, I’m not going to unravel.”
“Exactly.” He grinned and bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Soulfinder. If you need further assistance, you know how to find me. I will admit, chasing intruders away from a plant is not nearly as exciting as talking to you.”
“Glad I could provide some entertainment.”
Midnight Son flashed me another toothy smile and stepped into a shadow. He disappeared as he returned to the shadow world. I stared at his boot prints in the sand. His comments spun in my mind. Three main things snagged. Midnight Son had claimed I’d figure out how I lost my magic and he’d given me a fifty-percent chance of regaining my powers. Plus he’d called me Soulfinder, which could have been a slip of the tongue due to something he’d seen in my story threads.
I needed to keep trying to solve the puzzle. What options did I have left? Pazia Cloud Mist might have some answers. She lived in Ognap, which I guessed was northeast of here. Although I’d no real idea where in the Avibian Plains we were. My other choice was going south to the Illiais Jungle to visit my father. He might know about or have heard about a magic-blocking substance. I chewed on my lip, deciding.
Kiki nudged my arm, surprising me. Glancing at her saddle, she turned her blue-eyed gaze back to me.
“Ready to go?” I asked.
Another nudge.
“Okay.” Securing my cloak and shouldering my pack, I mounted Kiki. In that instant, I knew the right thing to do despite the terror clamping down on my guts. “Back to Fulgor please, Kiki.”
* * *
I wasn’t surprised by the extra security measures that had been installed around Opal’s glass factory. In fact, I approved despite the fact they wouldn’t be enough to protect Reema from a determined assassin. One of the many things I’d learned from Valek was that an assassin would sit and wait for days, weeks or even months to find the perfect time to kill.
Looping Kiki’s reins around a nearby post, I shouldered my pack and approached the entrance. I tried to ignore the certainty that watchers followed my every move, and the creepy crawly sensation of invisible gazes pressing on my back. The afternoon sunlight had done nothing to dispel the chill in the air, and now that the sun balanced on the horizon, the cold intensified. Or was it the icy glares the guards outside the factory turned on me?
While I waited outside, one man went to verify my claims. He returned with Devlen in tow.
“Have you found the plant?” he asked in a flat tone.
He was probably angry at me. I didn’t blame him. I tilted my head toward the guard hovering over me. “Can we talk inside?”
“Opal’s not here.”
“Opal’s not the one I’m worried about. How’s Reema?”
Ire flared in his gaze, but he gestured for me to follow him into the factory. Then he stopped. Workers buzzed around the kilns. The heat rolling off the four enveloped me. My numb fingers thawed.
“Reema is driving me crazy.” Devlen crossed his arms. He wore short sleeves and pants. “Being cooped up inside is not...ideal for her.”
Alarmed, I asked, “Is she upstairs alone?”
“No. Two more guards watch her. Are you going to tell me what happened that night?”
“Where’s Opal?”
“In the city, searching for Ben.”
“Have they found him?”
“No. You did not answer my question.”
“I’ve no idea what happened that night. They must have lured me away and changed my memories. All I know is if I remained in Fulgor, Reema would be assassinated and the rest of my friends and family would be killed, as well.” I held up a hand, stopping his questions. “Even though I think it’s just a planted threat, we have to send Reema away or I won’t be able to function. She’s not safe here.”
“She sleeps with us and we have four guards from Fulgor’s security forces here at all times.”
“Not enough. An assassin might be coming after her.”
Fear replaced his anger. “How do you know this?”
I met his gaze. “I don’t know, but we can’t take the chance that it’s one of my fake memories. If Ben thinks his...” I tapped a finger on my temple. “Plan didn’t work, he might go after her out of spite.”
He nodded. “All right. What do we do?”
“Get Reema. Tell her to pack a bag and don her warmest cloak. You’re going with her, so grab your travel kit.”
While he rushed off to collect Reema, I pulled my new purchases from my pack and set them aside. They had rested atop my cooking paraphernalia, flint, Esau’s field manual and other travel essentials that had all jumbled together. I also kept my valuables in my backpack and I’d tied my bedroll to the bottom.
The heat finally soaked into my bones. I removed my cloak and most of the hidden weapons inside the fabric.
Devlen returned with Reema. They both carried small rucksacks.
Reema raced over to me. “I knew you didn’t run away. I told them you were chasing the bad guys, but they didn’t believe me. Did you catch them?”
I smiled at her utter confidence in me. “Not yet. I need you to go on a secret mission with your dad. Do you think you can handle it?”
r /> Her cheeks blushed with excitement. “Yes!”
“Good. Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“Yes.”
“She’s only been on Quartz with Opal,” Devlen said.
She shot her father a withering look. He ignored her.
“Can you mount without help?” I asked her.
“Of course.”
“That’s all you need. Just hold on and Kiki will do the rest.”
“Kiki!” she squealed.
“Reema, this is very serious,” Devlen admonished.
She settled down, but pure impish delight danced in her gaze. Oh boy, this was going to be...interesting.
“Let’s go into Opal’s office. Bring your packs.” I hefted mine along with the new package.
Once inside the somewhat private space, I showed them the two wigs—one with straight black hair and the other with blond corkscrew curls.
I held up the black one. “Reema, you’re going to pretend to be me. If you wear this wig, my cloak, and pull the hood down low, no one should suspect anything. Kiki will take you northeast.”
“That’s all?” Disappointment laced her tone.
“It is very important. You can’t show your face. You need to be serious and stay on Kiki until your dad meets up with you. Kiki will protect you. Okay?”
She nodded. “I won’t mess up.”
“Good.”
Reema exchanged her cloak for mine. The hem dragged on the ground, but not enough to be noticeable in the dark. I hoped. I wrapped her hair into a bun and set the wig on her head.
I showed her where the darts were hidden in the fabric. “These have Curare, and these have sleeping potion. Only use them in an emergency. Don’t try to throw them. Just jab into skin if you can.”
We walked her to the front door.
“Ready?” Devlen asked, drawing her into a brief hug.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise. Your dad will tell you when he sees you later. Don’t worry. Kiki knows the way.”
Reema pulled the hood down low over her face and without looking back strode from the factory as if on an important mission. Which she was. I raced upstairs to a front-facing window and peeked out just in time to see her spur Kiki down the road. Two heartbeats later a couple of shadows detached from the building across the street and followed, proving that not all my memories were false.
Now for part two. I joined Devlen in Opal’s office.
He played with one of the blond curls. “I hope you are not endangering her.”
“Kiki is going to head straight northeast, pass the town limits, and that should make them happy. And Kiki will not let anyone harm her.”
“And this?”
I braided my hair and wound it around my head before taking the wig from him and securing it to my head. “This is to show the other two watchers that Reema is still here.” I tied her cloak around my shoulders. It fell to my knees, shorter than I liked, but with my black boots and dark pants no one should notice. Letting a couple of curls escape the hood, I drew the fabric low. “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Where would you take Reema?”
“There’s a taffy shop a few blocks away.”
“Perfect. Leave your bag. You can catch up with her and Kiki later.”
We left the factory. The two guards at the entrance accompanied us as we walked to the taffy shop. The other watchers followed us at a discreet distance. They were professionals. If I hadn’t been searching for them, I would have missed them. My heart skittered and urged me to run away. It pulsed a warning that death would befall all if I stayed in Fulgor.
“Where am I meeting Reema?” Devlen asked.
“Just head north. Kiki will find you.”
“And then where?”
I twirled one of the curls around my finger. “Kiki can carry you both.”
“Yelena.”
“You’re going to the only place Reema’ll be safe from an assassin.”
“The Magician’s Keep?”
“No. The Commander’s castle. Valek will protect her.”
He opened his mouth. Probably to protest. Then he sighed. “You are right. As much as I would like to believe I can keep her safe, I cannot.”
“Once this mess is settled, you can return home.”
We reached the taffy shop. The owner was about to lock up, but she let us in. Devlen bought a pound of Reema’s favorite—peppermint mixed with vanilla. We shared a portion of the confection as we returned to the factory.
“How long should I wait?” Devlen asked.
“When is Opal due back?”
“It depends. Some nights not until late, others...”
“Wait for her and explain what’s going on.”
“What about Reema?”
“Ben’s men should stop following her once they’ve determined she isn’t looping back into the city. Kiki will know and turn west to rendezvous with you. Do you have another way out of the factory?” I peeled off the blond wig.
He smiled. “Of course. Opal insisted we have a few options. Not many people know we purchased the building next door.”
“Wonderful.” I hefted my pack. “Where’s the hidden exit?”
“Where are you going?”
“To find out what really happened that night.”
24
VALEK
The poor messenger shrank back.
Valek eased his death grip on his desk and asked again, “How is Liaison Zaltana vulnerable?”
“I...I...don’t know, sir. Master Jewelrose said you would know.”
Could Irys mean Yelena was vulnerable because of Ben’s escape? Looking at the situation from Ben’s point of view, Valek would also target Yelena. She posed a dangerous threat to his continued freedom. Plus Ben had to have help in his escape, which meant she was up against more than one magician with a grudge.
“Do you have more details regarding this endeavor to harm her?” he asked the messenger.
“There’s been anti-magician rumblings and Master Jewelrose believes someone wishes to make an example of the Liaison as to why the Council shouldn’t rely on magicians anymore. Proof to all that magicians can be easily compromised.”
Valek wouldn’t have used the word easily. Curare wasn’t available to just anyone and null shields... They might have a point about those. Arbon had said cloaks with null shields were available for sale. Plus Opal’s magic detectors had made it difficult for a magician to be subtle. However, he doubted the Council would interfere with the production of the super messengers. They were too vital to Sitia. Valek wondered how they justified the super messengers’ existence, but not magicians.
“Does Master Jewelrose know who this someone is?” Valek asked.
“Not yet. She just wanted to inform you of the situation.”
Remembering the Council had kept the news about Ben from Yelena, Valek asked, “Has she warned the Liaison?”
“I don’t know.”
Not good. Once again Valek’s heart wished to hop onto Onyx and ride straight for Fulgor, but the Commander’s order that he remain uninvolved kept him from racing to the stables. Arbon’s comment about the Commander holding Valek’s leash repeated in his mind. Valek squashed it. Besides, she, Leif, Devlen, Opal and that other magician she mentioned in her message had plenty of protection.
Valek flagged down a servant to escort the messenger to the gate. He returned to his office, but couldn’t sit and read reports. Despite all the logic, worry for Yelena churned in his stomach. He changed into his sneak suit and under cover of darkness tested the security measures inside the castle complex.
After a few hours of creeping, crawling, climbing and ghosting, h
is agitation had diminished. The security wasn’t horrible, but the protection in certain areas had gotten lax. Valek understood why as most of the guards probably assumed that a threat from those areas was slim. But it was precisely those particular weaknesses that a shrewd assassin would exploit.
That was how he’d gotten to the King—by discovering that single lapse in security. It had taken Valek months to find. After working for the Commander for a couple of seasons, Ambrose led him to a back corner of the tavern. He carried two mugs of ale and handed one to Valek.
“My supporters are moving faster than expected. We should be closing in on the castle in three seasons. Is that enough time for you to assassinate the King?” Ambrose asked.
Finally! Valek kept his excitement from showing on his face. “Depends if I can identify a way inside. The King—”
“Is well protected. Don’t waste time looking for a hole in the security around him. Go through someone else who is close to him. That will be your best shot.”
“Like the Queen?”
“Exactly.”
Valek sipped his ale. “How will I know when you’re ready to attack?”
“By the end of the warm season, I will be in Jewelstown, making my speeches in the taverns. Find me and we’ll set a time to strike.”
“You’re not worried the King will send his soldiers to arrest you?” Valek asked.
Ambrose smiled. “No. By then, he won’t have many loyal soldiers. You’d be surprised what the promise of double wages does to loyalty.”
“And can you keep that promise?”
“You don’t think we gave the King all the diamonds we mined, do you?”
“Ah.”
“When the bastard refused to send help to dig out those trapped miners, we decided we weren’t going to play nice anymore.”
“What happens when the money runs out?”
“The King’s coffers are quite full and I plan to close the border to Sitia. Our money has been flowing south, buying imports and making the Sitians rich while our people beg on the streets. Stop the imports and we’ll have to manufacture our own supplies, generating plenty of jobs for everyone and keeping our money here in Ixia.”