Maria Snyder - Sea Glass

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.