Fingers touched his arm and Janco about jumped out of his skin. A black shadow detached from the wall right next to him. Onora frowned. She jerked her head, indicating they should move deeper into the factory.
He retraced his steps, skirting a couple of vats and water pumps to reach the door to the stairwell.
Onora pushed it open, gestured him inside, then closed it behind them, plunging them into darkness. “Did you even discover where the smaller containers were headed?” Her question was hissed in a low whisper.
“Yeah, into Ixia.” Before she could explode, he said, “We can learn that later. What if there was a magical illusion on this side, as well? You needed me.”
She sighed, sounding a lot like Ari. “Do you recognize any of this equipment? Or what they’re producing?”
“No. The smell is so familiar it’s been driving me crazy. It’s not cigars, that’s for sure.”
“Why not?”
“They’d be drying out the leaves, not soaking them or pulping them.”
“Parchment?”
“Maybe, but what’s illegal about that?”
“Nothing. But something’s not right here. It feels...off.”
Janco agreed. “Perhaps Maren can tell us what’s going on.”
“Maren, as in the Commander’s missing adviser? She’s here?”
“Yup. She’s drinking with them.”
Onora remained quiet for a few moments. “Do you think she switched sides? Who better to aid the smugglers than someone who is very familiar with Ixian security.”
That would make sense if the person had been anyone other than Maren. Or Ari, or Yelena, or Valek. “Nope. She’s loyal.”
“Then why didn’t the Commander tell us about her?”
“For a very good reason.”
“You have no idea.”
“It doesn’t matter. I trust the Commander. That’s all I need. And all you should need, too.”
“All right,” she said, but she chewed on her lower lip. “What do we do next?”
“I can see you!” he whispered.
“So?”
He glanced up. A faint light lit the upper level.
She pointed to the small pool of blackness underneath the stairs. They crouched close together. The light brightened as quiet footsteps sounded above. Janco concentrated. Only one person descended. The figure held a tiny metal lantern atop a post. Instead of the lantern hanging down, it resembled a torch, but without open flames.
When the cloaked figure reached the bottom, the person turned around and shone the dim light around the small space, revealing their hiding spot.
“Oh—”
Onora sprang forward. She rushed the intruder. The torch fell to the ground. Janco picked it up. He recognized it. The light was one of those small lanterns built with a long handle underneath to resemble a torch. It was called a lantorch—one of their gadgets. Onora scuffled with the person. They banged against the door and a knife clanged to the floor before Onora trapped the shorter figure in a double arm lock.
“Should I kill her before the others arrive?” Little Miss Assassin asked.
“No.” Janco tugged the captive’s hood back, revealing a familiar face with a very unfamiliar expression—fear. “Release her. It’s Yelena. What are you doing here?”
Onora let Yelena go, but the assassin didn’t look pleased.
Yelena smoothed her cloak. “Probably the same thing you are.” She glanced at Onora.
“New recruit,” Janco said.
Voices sounded on the other side of the door. “...heard something. I’m sure.”
Time to go. Janco pointed up and the three of them climbed the steps to the second story. He led them to the storeroom. A grapple had been hooked over the windowsill and a rope hung to the ground. Yelena must have taken advantage of the open window he’d left behind. He switched the light off as Onora climbed from the room.
They reached the ground and ran for cover. Voices yelled from above, calling out their location. Damn moon was too bright. The other smugglers poured from the warehouse and headed in their direction.
“This way.” Yelena took the lead. She raced down the main road and away from the town.
Janco stayed close to her.
“Still too exposed,” Onora said, glancing over her shoulder. “They’re about a hundred feet behind us.”
“There’s a sharp bend.” Yelena gestured. “Make a right into the woods as soon as we’re hidden from view.”
“Do you have a boat?” Onora asked.
Yelena didn’t bother to reply even though Janco thought it was a really good question. With no leaves on the trees and only about twenty feet of forest between the road and the river, there weren’t any hiding places.
Once around the bend, they plunged into the woods and, sure enough, a boat waited at the bank. It was one of those small skiffs with a canvas dome top. However, Yelena pointed to a huge ancient tree. It resembled one of those thousand-legged bugs.
“Climb up as high as you can,” she ordered.
He paused. It had at least a million branches, which equaled about a million scratches. “But—”
“Trust me.”
She’d gotten them out of a dozen tight spots in the past. He grabbed branches and scrambled higher. Onora had disappeared. Janco assumed she was higher in the tree, but who knew with her and her creepy chameleon power.
Yelena untied the boat and pushed it into the current. Then she swung up behind him. She might have been raised in Ixia, but her Zaltana blood showed as she ascended with ease, passing him with a grin. When the branches bowed under their weight, they stopped. A twig poked in his ear and in a number of unmentionable places.
They didn’t wait long before a group of six smugglers dashed into the woods.
“...heading for the river!”
“Look, a boat! Peeti, your crossbow. Quick.”
“Light it!”
Bright orange bloomed below them. Then a twang sounded and a burning bolt shot over the water, hitting the boat dead center. The canvas dome caught fire. Peeti shot three more and soon the entire boat was engulfed in flames.
Damn. They meant business. And if anyone glanced up... Old timber burned fast and it wouldn’t take long for Janco and his friends to turn into barbecue. He calculated the distance to the ground. If he landed on one of them, he might not break his legs.
“Let’s go. We got them,” one voice said.
“Not yet. Search the area. The boat could have been a decoy,” another ordered.
Great. Janco never liked hiding. He’d rather duke it out, and his companions could each handle two opponents easily.
“No,” Yelena whispered. “It’s not the right time.”
He frowned hard at her. She’d read his mind even though she knew how much he hated magic. Then again, that creepy crawly sensation crossing the back of his neck wasn’t quite the same as... A bug! Ewww! Staying still required an immense effort. Janco concentrated on the men below, debated between being killed by smugglers versus being bitten. The bug crawled up into his hair. Okay, smugglers it was!
Yelena flicked the bug away. He smiled his thanks. She shook her head just like Ari did when exasperated with him. Which was quite often, although he’d no clue why because his logic was undeniable.
Eventually, the search moved far enough away from their hiding place.
“We can’t stay here much longer,” Janco said. The bug might have friends.
“We should split up,” Onora said. She sat on the branch right above him. “They’re looking for three people.”
Yelena agreed. “Let’s meet at the Water Witch Inn. It’s in Port Monroe, located about five miles downstream of here.”
“See you there.” Onora climbed do
wn.
“She’s quiet,” Yelena said as they returned to solid ground.
Shuddering, Janco brushed off his hair and clothes. “Yeah, and she’s good with a knife.”
“Hopefully she won’t need it tonight. See you at the Witch.” Yelena turned to go, but Janco grabbed her arm.
He didn’t like how she held herself as if afraid she’d break. And she’d entered the warehouse alone and without backup. That didn’t jibe. Something wasn’t right and Valek would kill him if he didn’t stick with her. Ari, too.
“We’ll go together,” he said.
“But—”
“They’re looking for three, not two.”
She smiled. “All right, but we need to get to the other side of the river.”
He glanced at the cold churning water. “We’re gonna swim?”
“Not if I can help it. There’s a bridge back in Lapeer.”
“Lapeer? Is that the town we were just in?”
“Yup.”
“What about the smugglers?”
“We’ll worry about that then.”
He released her and she led him along the bank, heading upstream until they reached the bridge. They climbed and peered over the embankment. A couple of smugglers walked along the main street. “Are you sure we need to cross?”
“Yes.” She yanked her hood down and unwound her hair, letting the long black strands hang over her shoulders. “Follow my lead.” She took his hand, lacing her fingers with his and winked.
Ah. He grinned. “I knew you’d come around eventually.”
Yelena tugged him up onto the bridge’s walking path. She pressed against his side, walking slow. “It’s always been you, Janco. I’ve just been suppressing my true feelings.”
“What about Valek?” He stared at her as if she were the only one in the world even though he longed to check if the goons had spotted them yet.
“Valek, smalek. He’s way too serious.”
They paused at the center of the bridge, taking in the view. Little diamonds of moonlight sparkled on the water. He pulled her into a hug before they moseyed to the other side.
“You’ll leave Valek for me?” he asked.
“Yes. You just have to tell him we’re running away together.” She smirked.
“Ow.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “Doused with ice-cold reality. All loving feelings gone. Sorry, sweetheart, you’re not worth dying for.”
“Are you sure it’s not that pretty new recruit?” She made a left onto a trail, heading downstream.
“It’s not. She’d probably rather kill me than kiss me.”
“Oh?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you about it later.” The path cut between the river and the forest. “How many miles is it?”
“About five, but my horse can take us both.”
Just as he realized why that didn’t sound right, Yelena turned right and entered the woods. She hiked until they reached a grayish horse.
Oh no. Worried, he asked, “Where’s Kiki?”
29
YELENA
Despite the near miss at the factory and being chased, my mood had improved. It might have been due to Janco’s presence, but I’d never confess that to him. He’d gloat about it forever. Janco held on to my waist as The Madam trotted along the path that paralleled the twists and turns of the Sunworth river.
We reached Port Monroe an hour later. After I settled The Madam in the Water Witch’s stable, we entered the common room just as the sun rose. We sat at a table opposite the door, ordered sweet cakes and tea. I needed at least a gallon of tea. Janco didn’t seem to be his normal peppy self, either.
“Did Valek send you to investigate the Curare factory?” I asked before he could start with his questions.
“Curare!” He smacked his forehead. “Of course. That’s why it smelled so familiar. It was driving me crazy.”
I waited.
“Curare. Oh sh—”
“That’s what I thought when I caught the scent. It took me a day to hone in on that factory. I waited until the nighttime to learn who is responsible, and...well, you know the rest. If you didn’t know they were producing Curare, then why were you there?”
Janco told me about tracking smugglers to Sitia. “...using magic to hide their routes. And we also discovered Maren’s working undercover in the operation.”
“Are you her backup?”
“No. The Commander didn’t tell us where she was. Not even Valek.”
That worried me. Did the Commander suspect there was an informer in Valek’s corps?
Our food arrived and we both shoveled steaming sweet cakes into our mouths. I gulped my tea despite the hot temperature. The liquid burned all the way to my stomach and warmed me.
“Okay, your turn. Why are you here?” Janco asked.
I gave him the short version, which didn’t include my lost magic. I’d tell him before we did anything dangerous.
“You think the people who rescued Ben are involved with the Curare factory?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. That’s why I sneaked inside to see if there was any connection. But regardless of who is involved, we have to shut that place down.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured you’d say that. Do you want to notify the Sitian authorities? Or take matters into our own hands?”
“And what can the two of us do?”
Janco’s eyes lit up. “Burn the place down. Totally doable with the three of us. You’re forgetting Little Miss Assassin, our newest recruit.”
This was going to be good. “Little Miss Assassin?”
“She doesn’t like to be called that.”
“Gee, I wonder why.”
“Onora’s overly sensitive. But I’m working on her. Anyhoo, she showed up one night.” Janco launched into a detailed story of how Onora made an impression on the Commander. “...and she would have beaten Valek if she’d finished her training. If she wants Valek’s job—”
“What does Valek think about all this?”
“He didn’t say, but I think he’d be more than happy to let another take over the reins.”
“I don’t agree. He loves his job.”
“He loves you more.”
Janco didn’t quite understand. For Valek, the Commander would always come first, and I’d accepted that...mostly. I’d admit there were times I’d wished it was different.
As Janco helped himself to my tea, I mulled over the information. With Ben locked in Wirral, he couldn’t direct a smuggling operation. We really needed to get inside and find out who was in charge before we informed the authorities. Was it the mystery accomplice I couldn’t remember?
The Sitian methods for raiding a place were far from subtle. Plus I didn’t have any doubt the smugglers had paid off the town watch. Not with the place stinking of Curare. The watchman would tip them off and all the evidence would be gone before the authorities organized an attack.
“Thinking devious thoughts?” Janco asked.
“Not quite. I’d like to discover who’s behind the factory, but after tonight, I’d bet they’re scrambling to relocate or hide the evidence.”
“Maren might know. We should find a way to contact her.”
“Or wait for her to contact us,” I said. “She probably recognized us. Either way, we should return to Lapeer and keep an eye on that factory. See who comes and goes.”
“They’ll be on guard, watching for us.”
“Then we’ll have to go in disguise. How attached are you to your hair, old man?”
Janco groaned. “How about we pretend to be newlyweds?”
“No.” I glanced at the door. We’d been talking for a couple of hours. “Shouldn’t Little Miss Assassin be here by now?”
??
?Maybe she had to make a detour to shake a tail.”
“You’re not worried?”
“Not at all. The girl was trained by the same lady who trained Valek, and she...”
“She what?”
“She just blends in, but I don’t get that icky magic sensation around her. Did you feel it last night? Could she be one of those One-Trick Wonders?”
“Maybe. Did Valek sense any magic?”
“He didn’t say. Can’t you use your superpowers on her and get the skinny?”
“Uh...about that, Janco. I—”
“There she is.”
His voice held more relief than his early comments about her implied. Interesting. I studied the young woman as she approached. Graceful with pretty, light gray eyes and a narrow face. Her lips were pressed together and a crease marked her forehead. She’d be beautiful without that dour expression. I doubted she cared.
“What took ya so long?” Janco asked.
She frowned at me before meeting his gaze. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to discuss Ixian business in front of a Sitian.”
Janco laughed. “Yelena isn’t Sitian or Ixian. She’s just an ian—neutral.”
“No one is neutral,” Onora said.
“True. How could she not love Ixia more? She can’t. Oh, stop scowling at me, Little Miss Assassin. I’m just gonna tell her everything anyway. This way, I won’t mess up the details.”
“So you admit you’ve messed up the details in the past?” I asked.
“No way, sweetheart.”
Onora turned to me. “It’s amazing he’s lived this long.”
“He grows on you. Sort of like a barnacle.”
“Hey!” He pouted.
“Did you run into trouble?” I asked Onora, ignoring Janco.
“No. While you two were pretending to be lovebirds, I looped back to the factory. Everyone was outside hunting for us, so I figured no one would be looking inside.”
Smart. A server came over to take Onora’s breakfast order. She ordered eggs, toast and ham.
When the girl retreated, I asked, “Did you find anything?”