Dawn Study

by Maria V. Snyder

  “A sneak attack while we’re still sleeping.” Teegan flashed a grin. “Good thing they didn’t know Grandpop checks the kilns at night.” Then he sobered. “They have Curare and null shield nets with them. No magicians, though.”

  “They won’t be able to use their weapons because they’ll be too busy flying through the air, and so will their reinforcements,” Zethan said.

  Heli touched his arm. “We still can’t stay here. We’re putting Teegan’s family in danger. We need to leave. Jaymes, you and your family also need to find a safe place to go. The Cartel won’t be happy when we escape, and they’ll question you or use you to get to Teegan.”

  “When we escape?” Zohav asked. “You’re that confident?”

  Heli resisted snapping at the girl. Instead, she glanced at Zethan and Teegan. “Escaping won’t be the hard part.”

  “What’s the hard part?” Teegan asked.

  “Making them think they have a chance to catch us.”

  Except for Zohav, there were answering grins all around. Heli explained her plan, and the four of them slipped through the back door to their positions. There wasn’t much light, so they moved with care. The twins hid behind the well while she and Teegan sidled up to the stables. All three horses were awake, with ears pricked forward and nostrils flared.

  Since Heli needed to know where the soldiers were, Teegan updated her on their positions.

  “There are twelve of them now,” he whispered. “They’re climbing over the gate. Huh. Someone must have told them it squeaks.” A few long seconds passed. “They’re moving to surround the house. Two of them know how to pick locks.”

  Heli gathered her power. “Let me know when they’re close.” Aiming a powerful and narrow wind gust took a great deal of concentration and energy. She hoped to loop it around the house and strike them all with one mighty gust.

  “Almost there...”

  The gate squealed open.

  Teegan gasped. “Father. Reema.”

  19

  YELENA

  The bright mid-morning sunlight woke me from a dreamless sleep. I yawned and reached for Valek, but his side of the bed was empty. Alarmed, I sat up. It was a few hours past dawn; he should have returned by now. Shoving the blankets off, I dressed quickly and hurried to the small living room.

  Onora stood by the window, staring down at the busy market. A pot of water steamed on the stone hearth.

  “Has Valek reported in?” I asked her.

  She turned. “Not yet.”

  “Shouldn’t he be back by now?”

  “It depends.” Onora didn’t appear to be worried. “He might be following a lead.” She strode to the hearth and nudged the pot closer to the burning coals with the toe of her boot. She must have been out early, because she only wore her boots when pretending to be a normal citizen.

  Her lack of concern only increased mine. “What if he was caught?”

  “Not much we can do about it right now. If he’s not back by this afternoon, I’ll visit the Council Hall and see if I can learn what happened.”

  I’d planned to go to the Keep today, but I’d promised Valek to wait until he checked it out. Perhaps he ran into trouble there. Too many possibilities. I strode to the window, hoping to spot him among the shoppers.

  “Have some tea.” Onora poured a cup. “Sit down. I’ll make you something to eat.”

  “Are you bribing me?”

  “Would you rather fret until you’re sick?”

  “Yes,” I said peevishly.

  “And will that change anything?” She answered for me. “No. And it isn’t good for the baby.”

  Fine. I flopped down on an armchair like an adolescent and dust puffed up, making me sneeze. My emotions had been erratic lately. I’d accused Valek of overreacting, but I guessed he wasn’t the only one. “Sorry,” I said when she handed me the tea.

  “No problem. Besides, you’re doing better than my aunt.”

  Strange comment. “What do you mean?”

  “My aunt sobbed through her entire pregnancy. Or so it seemed. She’d cry when she couldn’t find matching socks or when a bird flew into the window pane.”

  “So I can blame the baby for my mood swings?”

  “Yup. And she was absentminded and really goofy at times. She called it baby brain.”

  That explained quite a bit.

  “And swollen ankles. Hers blew up like melons.” She spread her hands to demonstrate the size.

  Lovely. I wondered what other effects the baby would cause. “You know more than I do about this. Were you close to your aunt?”

  “I...” Onora focused on slicing an apple. “She raised us after our mother died.”

  I realized I didn’t know much about Onora’s past. I knew that she’d trained as an assassin, and she’d been abused by her commanding officer. Valek’s news that Sergeant Gerik was her brother had been a complete surprise. “Do you have other siblings?”

  “No. Just the two of us.” She paused. “When my aunt and the baby both died in childbirth, my uncle kicked us out, so we joined the military.” She shrugged. “You know the rest.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  “It’s all in the past.” Her tone remained flat.

  She wasn’t fooling me. I’d spent a couple years running from my traumatic past, and I recognized the signs. It would catch up to her eventually. I just hoped I’d be there to help her get through it once it did.

  Onora set a plate full of ham and apple slices for us to share on the table between the armchairs. The table had been wiped down.

  “You dusted. Thanks.”

  She bit into a piece of ham. “I was bored.”

  We ate the rest of the meal in silence. I kept glancing at the door, as if my will alone would cause Valek to appear.

  “My aunt also had strange cravings for food,” Onora said. “One time, she sent me to the market for eggs—dozens of eggs. We ate omelets and scrambled eggs for a week straight.” She laughed at the memory.

  “How long did you live with her?” All humor fled her face, and I wished I hadn’t asked the question.

  “About six years. My dad left us a year before my mom died. She sickened with a lung infection, and by the time the medic determined the source, it was too late.” Onora stared into the past. “Same with my aunt. We lived too far from help, and my uncle wouldn’t let her travel to town when the baby was due. He said the midwife would do fine, even though both the midwife and my aunt thought the baby was breech.” Her shoulders stiffened, but then she drew in a quick breath as if she’d realized something. “Not that it will happen to you! Valek will have you surrounded by healers and medics. You don’t have to worry.”

  I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Right now my priority was for Valek and me to survive the Cartel’s takeover. Once that happened, then I could focus on our future.

  I checked the door. Still closed.

  When Valek failed to show up by midafternoon, I decided I wasn’t waiting any longer. I touched up my disguise.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Onora asked.

  “While you check the Council Hall, I’m going to visit Cahil’s headquarters. Maybe he has some information on Valek.”

  “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I’m not asking permission.” No way I’d sit here another minute.

  “Cahil might not even be there.”

  “Then I’ll find Phelen, see if he’s seen or heard anything.”

  “What if Valek shows up before one of us returns? You know he’ll panic when no one’s here.”

  “Nice try. We can leave him a ‘be back soon’ note.”

  Onora muttered under her breath, but then said, “I’m coming with you.”

  Not like I co
uld stop her. “Fine.”

  * * *

  We looped around the Council Hall just in case Valek had stayed there to watch the traffic.

  “Do you want me to go inside?” Onora asked. “See if they’ve caught him?”

  I considered. Valek wasn’t easy to catch. “Not yet. If there’s no sign of him, that’ll be plan B.”

  Our next stop was Cahil’s headquarters. A shudder rumbled through me when I stepped inside the abandoned warehouse. The time I’d spent here hadn’t been pleasant.

  No one guarded the entrance. I followed the dust-free path through the stacks of dirty crates that littered the floor. The place smelled of grease, rusted metal and mold. When we arrived at the top of the stairs that led down to Cahil’s underground offices, we spotted a faint yellow glow. At least one person was here, probably more.

  Onora pulled her daggers and slid off her boots before signaling me to follow her down the stairs. I grabbed my switchblade but didn’t trigger the blade.

  The light brightened, and the murmur of a distant conversation floated on the air. By the time we reached the bottom, I recognized Hanni’s and Faxon’s voices. Onora eased into the room so quietly, they didn’t hear her.

  “...going to be hard keeping silent when—” Hanni jerked to her feet with her sword in hand when I entered. Faxon followed a second after.

  Guess I wasn’t as stealthy as Onora. No one moved. They blinked at us for a moment before relaxing.

  Hanni sheathed her weapon. “No need to sneak up on us. We’re on the same side.”

  Onora shrugged. “Habit.” She scanned the area. The room was filled with desks, and a door in the back led to Cahil’s office. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes. I guess you heard about Valek.”

  My pulse jumped. “No. What happened?” My tone was sharp and squeaked in panic.

  “Then why—”

  “What happened?” Must. Not. Shake. Her.

  “Master Magician Zitora Cowan detected him near the Council Hall, and they’ve been hunting him all morning.”

  I sank into a nearby chair. They didn’t have him. Yet. “Hunting?”

  “Yes. General Cahil was summoned to the Hall an hour ago to help with the efforts. Master Zitora can track Valek within a few blocks, so they are setting up an ambush and plan to steer him into it.”

  “Where?” Onora asked.

  “The messenger said they spotted him on the roof of the third ring.”

  Onora glanced at me. “Third ring?”

  “It’s one of the business and factory rings that are located around the market,” I said. “Hanni, do you know his position on that ring?” Otherwise, it’d be miles of ground to cover.

  “Northeast.”

  Still a rather large area, but it was better than nothing. I thanked her. We dashed up the stairs. Onora snagged her boots as we crossed the warehouse.

  “The intel’s an hour old,” Onora said, pausing at the door to put on her boots. No need for stealth. Not yet.

  “I know, but it’s a place to start.”

  When we exited the building, I took a few seconds to get my bearings. Cahil’s headquarters was in the southeast section of the fifth ring. Heading north at a quick pace—not fast enough for me, but if we were seen running, it would draw unwanted attention—we scanned the streets, alleys and rooftops as we cut through to the third ring. Once we reached the northeast section, we slowed, seeking any signs of an ambush. Trying to appear as if I wasn’t frantically searching for my husband, I resisted the urge to yell his name.

  At one point, Onora leaned close to me and said, “Have you ever heard the term ‘looking for a snowflake in a blizzard’?”

  “No, but there are millions of snowflakes in a blizzard.”

  “Exactly.”

  “That makes no sense. It’d be easy to find a—”

  Onora touched my shoulder. She drew me into a side street. “There are a number of soldiers ahead. Stay here while I go check it out.”

  My protest died in my throat. Valek was more important than my ego. I nodded. She left her boots with me and then disappeared. It took all my self-control not to poke my head around the corner to see where she was going.

  Instead, I inventoried my weapons just in case I needed them. Then I compared my boots to Onora’s—hers were two sizes bigger. I paced while trying to ignore the various horrible scenarios that threatened to play out in my mind. Counting the buildings on both sides of the narrow street—there were eight—I tried to guess what type of industry went on inside them. One had to be a garment factory, judging by a delivery wagon outside full of bolts of colorful cloth. Although they could also be manufacturing bedding.

  Without warning, Onora appeared at my elbow. I jumped a foot into the air. “Well?” I demanded.

  “They know he’s nearby, but not exactly where. Soldiers are blocking the streets and alleys, and a group of eight is searching buildings. I think Zitora is with that group.”

  Not good. I mulled it over. “Where?”

  “A few blocks north of here.”

  “Can you show me?”

  She scrunched up her face. “Why?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Okay.” She said the word as if placating a crazy person. “Stay right behind me.”

  The deserted streets felt strange in the middle of the day. Onora stayed in the shadows and slowed once we’d crossed two streets. She stopped next to a wagon that had been abandoned. The soldiers must have chased the driver off while they searched for Valek.

  “They’re another block north,” Onora said.

  I scanned the area. It was familiar, but I couldn’t remember why. If I was Valek, where would I hide? Onora might know. She’d had the same training. But this was the Citadel. Fisk would know best. Fisk!

  “Come on!” I said. Turning around, I hurried a block south, then found the alley that led to Fisk’s first headquarters. I hadn’t been there in years, but I remembered the deceptive entrance. Unlike the other doors in that alley, this one only appeared if you stood in a certain location. I hoped Valek also recalled this little quirk. It took me a few minutes to find it. Being with a jittery assassin who thought we were too exposed didn’t help.

  Finally I popped the lock, and we entered the semidarkness. Dust motes floated in a beam of sunlight from the single window. A thick coat of dust painted the broken furniture. Cobwebs filled the corners. Empty, but another chamber was further inside. It had beds for the Helper’s Guild members. Keeping my disappointment at bay, I moved deeper into the shadows.

  “Yelena,” Valek said behind me. It was Onora’s turn to jump.

  I turned and stifled a gasp. Dark smudges lined his eyes. Already sharp-featured, Valek now appeared almost skeletal. I opened my arms for a hug, but he grabbed my hands, lacing his fingers in mine instead.

  “Ahh.” Valek sank to the floor. “I hoped you’d find me here.”

  Alarmed, I knelt next to him. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “When I was checking the Council Hall with my magic, she picked up on me and latched on with her incredibly strong powers. My barrier is barely keeping her from discovering my location. Otherwise, she would have found me by now.”

  “Why is she chasing you?”

  “Because she doesn’t believe me about Bruns. I tried to explain, but Bruns has already convinced her that the Commander is planning to invade Sitia. She thinks I assassinated the Councilors, Irys and Bain, and that I’m coming for Bruns next.”

  I sat back on my heels. “Does she know about your magic?” That would be bad.

  “No, she thinks it was only because I was so close that she was able to reach me. And that my immunity allows me to lie to her.” He gave me an exhausted grin. “She and a contingent of soldiers are hunting me.
”

  “They also set up an ambush for you,” Onora said.

  “I figured they would try to flush me into a trap.”

  “Why didn’t you return to the apartment right away?” I asked. “I could have talked to her.”

  “I couldn’t risk Bruns discovering our location.”

  “What about now?” Onora asked. “Can Zitora find us while you’re holding Yelena’s hand?”

  Valek’s strained face was grim. “Yes. It’s just a matter of time.”

  “I thought the baby blocked magic,” Onora said.

  “The baby drains it,” I said. “Are you using your magic?” I asked Valek.

  “No. I stopped using mine to block her as soon as I held your hands, but the baby is siphoning her power through me. Being the second most powerful magician in Sitia, she can follow that drain of magic.”

  Which explained his exhaustion.

  “Is she close?” Onora asked him.

  “Yes. They’re a block away and heading for the mouth of the alley.”

  “How many are with her?” She pulled her daggers.

  “Eight. Best to ambush them. Do you have any darts with sleeping potion?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Find a hiding spot in the alley. When they come, hit as many as you can.”

  “What if they’re resistant, like the ones who were guarding my father?” I asked.

  Valek cursed.

  “Wait,” Onora said. “We have that new draft Leif cooked up for us.”

  So much had happened, I’d forgotten about that. Or was it baby brain?

  “Thank fate,” Valek said. “Give some of them to Yelena and then get into position.”

  “Yes, sir.” Keeping ten, Onora handed me six darts. Then she disappeared through the door.

  “Yelena, do you have your blowpipe with you?” he asked.

  “Always.” I loved that weapon. Stolen from Bruns’s armory, it had a rifling pattern on the inside to improve even my terrible aim.

  “Stay here and hit anyone who comes through that door.”

  “And you?”

  He pushed to his feet, pulling me up with him. “I’m the bait.” He let go of my hands.