Maria Snyder - Storm Glass

I looked at Kade’s inert form. “Kade and Ulrick didn’t.”

He flicked his hand in anger. “Does it make you feel better to lie to yourself?”

I didn’t answer.

“It must. Because Kade used you when he gave you his orb to keep safe. It’s a dangerous object to have lying around.”

“He asked me. Big difference.”

“If the orb scared you, would you have said no?” He didn’t wait for my reply. “Of course not. Ulrick was right, you’re a nice accommodating doormat.”

“He didn’t say that.”

“Not to you. You claim Ulrick never used you. His connection to the Keep and the Master Magicians was through you. Why do you think he pretended to care and to act as your bodyguard? He worried he would be sent home if something happened to you.”

Devlen tortured me without even touching my body. But I remained stubborn. “You’re lying again.”

He pointed to his temple. “I’ve seen his memories and I’ve felt his emotions. He had no regrets when he swapped you for magic.”

My reaction must have betrayed the turmoil in my mind. A smug half smile quirked his lips. “I’ll let you think over my offer.”

An automatic refusal pushed from my chest, but I clamped down on the impulse. Instead, I asked, “Since you consider me an accommodating doormat who lies to herself, why would you offer me more power?”

A rush of emotions, too fast for me to decipher, crossed his face. “You’ve endured more than anyone else. Usually I only need one session and the person is mine, yet you suffered a long time before giving in to me. I admire your inner strength and your courage.” A wistful lilt stole into his voice. “I enjoyed our time together, and I know you did, too. Think about what I’m willing to do for you, and, this time, don’t lie to yourself.” He strode from the room.

I already had finished deluding myself. I knew who I desired, and it wasn’t Devlen. But I wouldn’t tell him. Not yet. Pretending to go with him might be the only chance I would have to escape.

Once I was sure Devlen wouldn’t return to the storeroom for a while, I wiggled up on my knees then gained my feet on the pile of sacks. I remained attached to the ceiling, but now my hands could reach my waistband. It was a relief having my arms down. The breaks Devlen gave me for eating and such were never long enough.

My fingers sought the glass spider and after a panicked moment, I pulled it from where I had wedged it. But what to do with it? Kade lay in an exhausted sleep and another blizzard was on its way. Sir would want him to dance in the next storm and he should be rested by then. The best time to attempt an escape was right as the next storm hit. Kade would have the storm’s full power at his disposal.

I mulled over my logic. Unfortunately that was when Sir and the others were extra careful and on guard. Tucking the spider back into its hiding space, I sat. Ideas formed and dissipated when exposed to reason.

Eventually, I lay down, drifting off to sleep. A muted click woke me. The door swung open, revealing a wedge of firelight and the outline of a man before shutting without a sound. I drew in a breath and prepared to scream if it was one of Namir’s men looking for fun. My eyes strained in the darkness, but I lost sight of the silent intruder.

A hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my outcry.

“Shhhh. It’s me, Yannis…er…Janco,” he whispered in my ear.

I quit struggling and he removed his hand.

“I don’t have much time. Even though it’s the middle of the night, Devlen watches us closely. The man doesn’t blink an eye over torture, but he’s very protective of you,” he huffed. “So what’s the plan?”

“Isn’t the Ixian army coming to our rescue? Your partner?”

“This was a discovery mission. Top secret. Ari can’t get here until a day after the blizzards anyway, but by then Sir and Devlen planned to bleed your Stormdancer dry.” He shuddered. “All this magic gives me the creeps.”

No choice but to figure it out on my own. I thought fast. What did I do best? Looking at the solution as a series of glassmaking steps, I created a list of needs. Need a storm, need an orb and need the freedom to move.

“Janco, can you bring the orb from Devlen’s pack in here when they come for Kade tomorrow?”

“The swirly green one he just sold to Sir?”

“Yes. Toss it to Kade when I give the signal. Do they have more orbs for the storms?”

“Yeah. There were a ton of glass balls hidden under the tarps in the wagons, that’s what Namir has been delivering. The sand and lime are just decoys.”

“What’s the pit for?”

“General Kitvivan’s started a mining operation up here in the hot season. That’s one of the reasons why I’m here. To see what he’s been mining.”

I knew the answer. “Diamonds. To pay Sir for this operation in taming the blizzards.”

“Makes sense. The Commander’s not going to be happy about all this.” He paused. “What else?”

“Can you get me a key for these cuffs?”

“No, but I can unlock them for you.” He pulled a few picks from his pocket, reached up and the manacles popped open in seconds.

“Handy skill.”

“Since you have the same propensity for getting into trouble, you should ask Yelena to teach you.”

“Assuming I live through this.” I touched my raw wrists.

“Think positive. Anything else?”

“When and if things begin to happen, don’t kill Devlen.”

“Why not?”

“I need his body,” I said, thinking about Ulrick stuck in Devlen’s real body. I didn’t know if there was even a way to switch them back. I’d worry about it later.

“Magic.” Janco spat the word out. “Twisted.”

“I need a knife. Do you have one?”

“Always.” He handed me his switchblade. “Yours.”

I triggered the blade.

“You do know how to use it, right?” A hint of worry laced his voice.

“Think positive.”

He laughed and slipped from the room without another sound.

I waited for a few minutes before sliding off my sack pile. The thin line of firelight from underneath the door gave off just enough light to illuminate black shapes. I wove my way through them and almost tripped over Kade’s net-covered form.

“Kade?” I whispered. A sleepy mumble. I cut the ropes around his wrists and ankles. Then sawed through the net.

Without warning, his hands seized my shoulders. He rolled over me, pinning me to the ground.

“It’s me,” I said.

“Opal?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“Sorry.” He released me.

I finished cutting the net, and peeled it away from his body.

“Ah. Better.” Kade stretched.

“Don’t get used to it.” I explained my plan.

“What happens if Crafty tries to trap you in a null shield? Can you siphon that?”

“Don’t know, but if she’s focused on me, you should be free.”

“Should be. Opal, no offense, but this plan has a lot of holes in it.”

I challenged him. “You have any better ideas?”

He sucked in a breath then released it all at once. “No.”

I rearranged the net around Kade and he pretended his hands and feet were still tied. Tal had left two empty orbs in the storeroom so I moved them closer to me. I hid the knife in my pocket and palmed my glass spider. Then it was my turn to pretend to be manacled.

The wait was excruciating. Doubts chased worries. Fears followed hope. Impatience warred with the need to conserve energy. The increased keening of the wind didn’t help at all. The noise sawed through my body with its icy teeth.

When the door opened, I jumped. But settled my nerves. Hunched on the sack pile, I assumed a dejected and wary posture. Sir, Tal and Crafty entered first, then Devlen and Tricky. I noticed Tricky looked to Devlen as if waiting for permission. Janco hovered in the doorway.