Maria Snyder - Sea Glass

Nic and Eve stopped by before leaving for Fulgor.

Nic explained what happened in Fulgor after Akako’s deception had been revealed. “Captain Alden couldn’t believe the message at first. If it hadn’t come from First Magician, he might have consulted the Councilor…the impostor and ruined the surprise attack. We stormed the Councilor’s Hall.” Nic punched a fist into his other hand. “They didn’t know what hit them. We nabbed Gressa first. She tried to sneak out through the tunnel. The impostor hid under her office desk.” Nic snorted with disdain.

“The whole city’s changed,” Eve said.

“The citizens are giddy with relief. Lots of drunk-and-disorderly-conduct charges,” Nic added.

“Nic and I volunteered to escort the impostor here so the Soulfinder could switch her back.” She folded her arms. “And we wanted to check on our charge, who did not go to Chandra like she said.”

“You weren’t supposed to follow me.” I tried, but twin stern expressions aimed at me. I felt instantly guilty. “Um…aren’t you supposed to be back in Fulgor?”

“Not until we were sure of your survival,” Nic said. “Do you know how much trouble we’d be in if you were assassinated on our watch?”

“But my condition is my fault. No one harmed me,” I said.

“You planned all this?” Eve asked.

“Not really, but—”

“Suspect’s story is changing—we should haul her ass in for further questioning,” Nic said.

“We’d need more backup and rain gear. Otherwise we won’t get her past the Stormdancer.”

Nic scowled. “All right, Opal. We’ll let you go with a warning. This time . However, if you come to Fulgor again, you’re to check in with us. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” I felt like I should salute. He was serious.

“And if you need assistance on another one of your…adventures, send us a message. We’ll be there,” Eve said.

By their posture and demeanor I knew they would keep their promise. “Thank you, I will.” I shook both their hands and the mood lightened.

“We’d better go and face the Captain’s wrath,” Nic said.

“I’ll bet you two silvers he gives us the ‘Chain of Command’ lecture,” Eve said.

“No way. That’s a given. I’ll bet four silvers he says, ‘Don’t delay, just obey,’ five times.”

“You’re on. He’ll never say it five times. You’re so going to lose.”

The two soldiers continued their banter as they left. I wondered if Yelena referred to them when she had mentioned more names for my list. Remorse filled me as I thought of how I had started a friendship with Eve just to gain her confidence and gather information.

I huffed. Two sides to my relationship with Eve—one good and one bad. But I had the choice for next time, and I could atone for my deceit by being an honest friend.

This simple realization dispelled the crushing guilt I had carried with me since I had pricked Yelena with Curare over six years ago. It didn’t matter that she forgave me, I needed to forgive myself. To know there would be terrible times, but I could balance those out or even tip the scales by my actions.

It was all a part of being trustworthy—of being a piece of sea glass. High tides, low tides, storms, sand and mistakes all contributed to the polishing process. Though difficult to endure at the time, the demanding elements helped smooth the surface, transforming one into a better person, not worse. A person who learned from the harsh environment, who knew the storm would end, and who felt confident she would still be in one piece.

Janco swaggered through my door with his usual smug smile. “I’m not supposed to be here. Kade has you on a strict one-visitor-a-day diet.”

He settled into the chair with an athletic grace. No bruises or cuts marred his face. Even though the smile remained, a shadow lurked in his eyes.

“Janco, I’m sor—”

“Don’t you dare say it.” He poked my arm with a finger. “My choice to help you. My fault for being caught. No regrets. I’d do it again without thought.” He cocked his head to the side and scratched his scarred ear. “Which isn’t that big of a revelation. Ari says I do everything without thought.” He shrugged. “Thinking is overrated.”

“How about I throw myself at your feet and pledge my undying gratitude?”

“Better, but how about plain old gratitude? Undying sounds creepy. Like it would live on after you’re gone. Ghost gratitude. Too much like magic.” He grimaced. “Now I have another reason to hate magic.”

His gloominess lasted a second before he hopped to his feet. He bowed with mock formality. “If you should need aid again, send me a D-I-D call.”

“I will.”

Finally given permission to travel after a total of twenty-five days in Hubal, I packed my saddlebags. It was the first day of the cooling season. Kade needed to be on the coast and I needed to make a decision. Should I tell the Council about my immunity or not? What would I do if I didn’t tell them? How would I be useful if I did inform them? Questions without answers chased their tails in my mind.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I shouted, “Come in,” without checking who was on the other side, my confidence due to the knowledge everyone had been arrested.

However, there were gaps in my knowledge. Not everyone dwelled in a locked cell. The door swung open and Devlen entered my room.

Instinct caused me to reach for my sais, but I stopped when I met his gaze. Ulrick’s soul no longer lurked behind those blue eyes. Devlen had tied his long hair back. The dark features of his strong face held concern.

“I’m surprised you haven’t been arrested,” I said.

“Me, too.” Standing by the door, he kept his distance. “The Council is discussing my future.”

“And they didn’t incarcerate you while they debated?” A slight, peevish annoyance crept into my tone. He’d used blood magic and could again, yet he remained free. I calmed my ire with the reminder of Akako’s dishonest influence on the Councilors at the time of my trial.

“Yelena spoke for me.”

“Why?”

He smiled in self-deprecation. “Because I tortured her with pressure points.”

“Not funny.” I waited.

Devlen rubbed his arms as if warding off a sudden chill. “When she helped…transfer my soul, she examined me. I never felt so…vulnerable. Every facet of me—my desires, needs and beliefs were exposed. Helpless, I saw them all in their raw form. Not pretty.”

“Being helpless and in pain is never pretty.” From the distress on his face, I knew he realized how much I’d suffered at his hands.

He hugged his arms tighter. “She returned me to my body and—” he pushed one of his sleeves up “—purged the ink and blood from my skin.” He ran a finger along his muscle as if he still didn’t believe it belonged to him. “I expected to be arrested, but she claimed my efforts to help you and Zitora went in my favor. I will probably have to spend a few years in prison for my prior deeds.” He let his arms drop. “I plan to cooperate fully.”

“How did you help Zitora?”

Devlen shrugged. “It was not much. I was the only one conscious after you siphoned the others. I put pressure on Zitora’s wound to staunch the blood, but she struggled to heal herself and was close to losing the battle. I acted on instinct. Scooping up a handful of your diamonds, I poured them into her palm and held her fingers around them. Her powers are impressive.”

The diamonds were charged with magic. He saved her life. The effort must have sapped her strength. He could have escaped.

“Then what happened?” I asked.

“When I was sure she would live, I checked on you. No signs of life.” The memory of horror touched his eyes before fading. “When I did find a pulse it was barely there. I freed Janco, and we ran for help.”