Maria Snyder - Storm Glass

The orb was inserted back into the glory hole to heat. When the tip was pliable, Ulrick worked to craft a lip for the orb. He used the orb I stole from Tricky as a guide to how to shape it. Since we didn’t plan to trap energy inside, we didn’t worry about finding a way to plug the opening.

We made four orbs and set them in the annealing oven to cool. It would be twelve hours before we could work with the orbs.

“I have twenty pounds of my special sand mix on order,” Ulrick said. “When it arrives, I’ll show you how I make those vases.”

While Ulrick helped Mara make a bowl, I showed Piecov how to gather glass from the kiln. The first-year student had signed up to help with the glass shop. He had watched us work, and now it was his turn to try.

“Watch, it’s very hot. You want to get in and out as fast as possible,” I said. “And keep the rod turning all the time or the glass will drip to the floor.”

He was quick to learn and asked all the right questions.

Overall, I was very pleased with the glass shop’s first day of operation. Everyone worked together well, and the equipment ran without problems. It was a shame the harmony didn’t last very long.

The next day we inspected the orbs. No cracks or flaws and the glass felt thick enough to withstand any jostling. Our creations matched the one containing the spiders.

“Do you think it’ll work?” Ulrick asked.

“Only one way to find out.”

We would have to wait for Stefan’s morning classes to finish. He promised to stop by and attack me with a magical illusion during lunch.

When the door to the glass shop opened, I expected to see Stefan. Instead an aggrieved Pazia stood in the threshold.

“Stefan’s not coming,” she said. She scanned the shop with distaste.

“Why not?” I demanded.

“Master Bloodgood needs him.” She joined us by the table of orbs. “Bain sent me to help.” Her stiff demeanor revealed that she would rather be doing anything but aid us.

“No,” Ulrick said. “We’ll find someone else.”

“As much as I would love to leave, there is no one better at illusions than me. If you’re going to experiment with magic, you might as well do it right or not bother at all.”

I considered. Master Bloodgood knew our plans. If he thought Pazia would be useful, then she would be. “All right. Do you know what we’re trying to do?”

“Opal, may I have a word with you?” Ulrick grabbed my arm and propelled me outside. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not? She’s a very powerful magician and could be useful with our experiments.”

“What if she tries to sabotage them? She’s jealous of you.”

“Then we’ll ask her to leave. You have to keep an open mind.”

“I just don’t want her to hurt you.” He pulled me into an embrace.

I melted against him, enjoying the moment. “Do you think I would let her?”

“Not intentionally. You’re too nice, Opal. You always think the best of people so you’re always going to get hurt.”

I mulled over his comment. He was right in a way, but my interactions with people didn’t always lead to pain. Interesting how Pazia said I didn’t trust anyone and Ulrick claimed I trust too much. Who was right?

“Do you think she’s up to something?” Ulrick asked.

“Like what?”

“Spying on you, seeing what you can do with your magic.”

“For what purpose?”

“You have people after you. She could tell them how to neutralize your magic or where to find you.”

“I haven’t seen a sign of anyone in a while. Don’t you think you’re being a little paranoid?” I pulled away from him.

“I’m being smart. As time passes without any hint of danger, you’ll begin to relax. Eventually you’ll think the danger is past and then…Bam! Surprised and unprepared you’re caught. That’s what I would do if I were Tricky.”

He had a point. My skin felt hot and tight as if I was trapped in a spotlight. Could I ever relax?

“You shouldn’t trust anyone besides me and your sister,” Ulrick said.

“What about Zitora or my parents or Kade?” The Stormdancer’s name slipped out.

He frowned. “They all could be compromised. How do you know Kade wasn’t the one who spiked the glass with Brittle Talc? He could be working with Tricky for his own reasons. Maybe for revenge over his sister’s death. Maybe her death was really an accident and he wants to put a stop to all stormdancing.”

I couldn’t believe that scenario. “You can make up any story you want to fit, but it doesn’t mean it’s true. I could even come up with a reason for my sister and Leif to plot against me.”

“But it could be true. Perhaps you should trust no one.”

If my first four years at the Keep had been lonely, not being able to trust anyone would make my life worse. But then Pazia’s words about trust drifted through my thoughts again. She was wrong. I trusted Ulrick with my life, Zitora with my education, my sister with my dreams, and Kade with…With what? I didn’t have an answer.

Ulrick and I returned to the glass shop. Mara was giving Pazia a tour of the small shop. I explained to Pazia about the experiment, and showed her the glass orbs and spiders.

“We want to recreate the attack and see if I can defend myself again,” I said.

As she considered my request, the annoyance faded and genuine interest glowed in her eyes, making Ulrick suspicious. I believed if she offered to fetch us a drink he would still be unhappy.

“Do you want me to conjure spiders?” she asked me.

“How about something a little less creepy?”

“Snakes?”

“No!” Mara and I said together in horror.

Pazia rolled her eyes. “Puppies?”

“Butterflies,” I suggested.

“I’m good, but not powerful enough to make butterflies menacing. Try again.”

“Bees?”

“Better.”

“What type of bee?” Ulrick asked.

“I’ll decide. Opal wouldn’t get to choose if a magician were really after her. Better if she’s surprised. Ready?”

I picked one of our orbs, and held it between my hands. Pazia concentrated. The lines of her neck pulled taut as she gathered power.

A low hum sounded. I exchanged glances with Mara. She heard the sound, too. The steady drone increased in volume until the room vibrated with the noise.

“What the—” Ulrick batted at the air near his head.

At first, a few bees blazed by my head. I jumped back as another green-and-black bee flew by my ear. Mara cried out, swatting at her skirt.

A finger of ice brushed my spine when I recognized the Greenblade bees. All six inches of the hairy insect were striped with green and brown. Impossible to spot in their home forests, they attacked with relish and pumped lethal quantities of venom into their victims. Fortunately they lived deep in the Greenblade Clan’s forest and only awoke to mate every three years.

“Anytime now, Opal,” Ulrick said. He ducked to avoid a cloud of them. One landed on his shoulder and plunged its stinger into his upper arm. He grunted in pain.

Mara raced around the room, yelling. The air was thick with bees, many more than the spiders. A blanket of insects covered Ulrick. A twinge of doubt squeezed my stomach, but I concentrated on the orb. It waited as if interested in the commotion yet content to just watch. I rolled it between my palms, imagining it on the end of a blowpipe. Pulling the buzz closer to me, I channeled the magic into the glass sphere.

One ping, then another. Soon the ringing of glass dominated. The sound echoed in my heart and continued for a long time. Bees disappeared, and more were created. Because of the sheer numbers, it felt like years before Ulrick’s body was uncovered and the swarm around Mara was gone. Finally, all grew quiet.