Night Study

by Maria V. Snyder

  “Sorry, love, but I’m too tired to follow your logic. Protect us from what?”

  “From Owen. From himself.”

  “But wouldn’t Owen know and stop him?”

  He had a point. I speculated further—all I could do without my magic. “Maybe Owen doesn’t have complete control yet. Maybe the Commander is hoping we’ll get help before he succumbs to the magic.”

  Valek lay down. “That’s a lot of maybes. Although I rather like the idea of the Commander trying to protect us. It’s better than the alternative.”

  I agreed. It didn’t take us long to fall into an exhausted sleep. Dawn came way too soon. Valek left for his meeting and I packed my meager belongings. I finished in no time. Instead of fretting over a dozen different things, I sat on the couch and resumed reading The Art of the Lie. The book included instructions on how to read a person’s body language by spotting small gestures and tics that revealed a liar.

  A shutter creaked loudly. I stood and grabbed my switchblade. Onora climbed through the now-open window and stepped into the room. At least I hoped it was her and not another illusion.

  She held her hands wide, showing she was unarmed. “I’m sorry if I startled you, but the guards wouldn’t let me in.”

  “And you couldn’t wait?”

  “I wanted to talk to you in private before you left.”

  “Okay, but indulge me first. What is the one thing Janco hates?”

  She laughed. “Janco hates many things, but he has a strong aversion to sand. He also despises magic and ants. Did I pass?”

  I doubted Owen would know all that about Janco. “Yes.” Gesturing to the couch, I asked, “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, please.” Onora sat on the opposite end. “I know you’re worried about being fooled by an illusion, but there is no way Rika or anyone else would be able to climb in through Valek’s windows.”

  “That difficult?” I added more water to the teapot.

  “Yes, and he has a couple...interesting booby traps.” She pulled her sleeve back to reveal a cut along her forearm. “Knives hidden under fake stones being one.” Blood snaked to her wrist.

  “Let me get you a bandage.”

  “No need. It’s not deep.” Onora tugged her shirt down, covering the wound and avoiding my touch.

  She wore an all-black, tight-fitting sneak suit similar to Valek’s, except it lacked a hood. Plus, her hands, feet and face remained uncovered. Morning sunlight streamed in through the open window.

  “Someone may have spotted you on the castle’s walls,” I said.

  “I doubt it. Most people don’t look up.”

  “True.” But knowing Valek, he had probably assigned an agent to watch the walls.

  I poured two cups of tea and handed one to Onora. “You wanted to discuss something?”

  She sipped her tea. “Valek informed me this morning that...” Onora gazed at her lap. “That Captain Timmer is in the Commander’s dungeon, and that I would have the honor of executing him at the fire festival in front of the Commander’s entire army.”

  I suspected this Timmer had been the one to assault her, and the Commander wished to make him an example. “Why you? Why him?”

  Her foot juddered, swinging back and forth like an excited puppy’s tail. “He’s the bastard I should have assassinated a year ago.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I... Shit.” She set the teacup down with a clatter and surged to her feet. “I tried, but every time I got close to him... I just...couldn’t. My failure’s been haunting me. I was so convinced his death would make everything go away. But then you claimed it wouldn’t. And...”

  I waited.

  Onora stabbed a stick into the fire. Sparks flew and ash swirled. “And I...panicked. What if I can’t kill him? What happens if this...” She pounded a fist on her chest. “This hardness inside me doesn’t dissipate with his death? What if it spreads instead, turning me as hard and cold as the castle’s stones?”

  Ah. I drank my tea, stalling for time as I mulled over her comments. “You knew before I said anything that death wasn’t the right solution. That’s why you couldn’t assassinate him.”

  “But he should die!” She punctuated die with a powerful thrust of her branch. The logs shifted, rolling to the back. Her anger spent, she sat on the floor, crossing her legs.

  “And the Commander agrees with you. His soldiers are warned of the consequences of abusing their power, and Timmer will be executed, either by your hand or another’s. Yet that won’t untie the knots inside you. You need to determine what you’re afraid of and confront it.” I lifted my cup. “I know. Easier said than done, and if I had my magic and your permission, we may have been able to untangle you this morning.”

  She stared at the flames. They flickered as if agitated.

  Memories of my efforts to expel my fear rose to the surface of my thoughts. Terror and pain no longer tainted these memories. Instead I drew strength from them, and Onora needed to know I shared a similar experience. I told her about the torture and rape I’d endured. “Reyad blamed me for the abuse. If only I’d listened better or tried harder, then I wouldn’t suffer. He led me to believe that I was no longer a person, but an empty shell to be used. I slit his throat, not to stop him from hurting me, but to keep him from abusing my sisters in the orphanage. I knew murder would land me in the Commander’s dungeon, awaiting execution, and I welcomed it.”

  “How did you get past all that?” Onora asked in a low tone.

  “With the realization that I was in control of my life and body. Me. Not him. That I was no longer a victim and should stop acting like one. I also had help from my friends. And I drew strength from Valek’s love. I still do.”

  “I don’t have—”

  “Yes, you have friends. Janco may be annoying, but he’d drop everything in a heartbeat to help you. You have me and Gerik—who I suspect cares for you more than he lets on. And the fact Valek hasn’t killed you yet is an encouraging sign.”

  She laughed. “To quote Janco, ‘I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.’” Then she sobered. “What am I to do about Timmer?”

  “The fire festival is six months away, so you have time to decide. In the meantime, I suggest you visit the captain.” Before she could reply, I said, “And I think going to talk to the young women who Timmer abused after you left is a good idea, as well. Valek has their names. Make sure you get them before we leave.”

  Onora gave me a mulish look, but she said, “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. I want a report about your progress when I see you again.”

  “I heard you’re leaving for Sitia. Does that mean you decided not to become the Commander’s Sitian Adviser?”

  Interesting. Valek hadn’t trusted Onora with my real destination. I wondered who else knew besides Ari and Janco. “Yes. That shouldn’t be a surprise.”

  “It isn’t.”

  We shared a smile. Then I asked, “Have you noticed a change in him since we’ve arrived?”

  “Yes. He’s harsher and no longer wishes to hear advice from me or his advisers. And before you ask, the Commander hasn’t confided to me about what Owen is planning.”

  “Would you tell us if you knew?” I asked.

  “Not if the Commander ordered me to keep quiet.”

  “Fair enough. How about if you knew Owen was using magic on him? Would you tell us then?”

  “If you can prove that is the case, then I would, to save the Commander.”

  “Good to know. Too bad all I know is that Owen is growing those Harman saplings in the guest suite. But I have no idea why.”

  “How do you know this?”

  I explained about the kitchen staff. “They’re rarely wrong.”

  “Would getting a branch of one of those plants help you?”

  “Yes, but Valek says it’s too dangerous. They probably surrounded them with a magical barrier that would alert them if someone crosses it.”

  “Do you think they’d relax once
you are gone?” Onora asked.

  “No. Don’t try it. It’s too dangerous. I’ll ask my father about it.”

  But Onora’s contemplative expression failed to dissipate. She thanked me for the tea and my time. The guards at the main entrance weren’t pleased that she’d bypassed their security, but she ignored them.

  * * *

  Valek entered the suite close to noon. He carried a stack of uniforms. When I asked about his meeting with the Commander, he said, “The more I interact with him, the greater my certainty that he’s being influenced.”

  “Even though the Commander has a magic detector?”

  “What would happen if Owen put a null shield around it?”

  Interesting. “It would no longer flash when magic was used, but it would have sparked when he pulled power to create the null shield.”

  “In that case, he could just distract the Commander. Owen’s rather quick with those bloody things.” Valek frowned.

  “What about the null shields woven into the Commander’s uniforms?” I asked.

  “Would that protect his head, as well?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is the shield skintight?”

  “I’m not sure. Leif has been experimenting with them. And that glass magician, Quinn, can attach one to a glass pendant.”

  Valek handed me the uniforms, but seemed distracted. “What would happen if Owen touched your skin while you wore protected clothes?”

  I considered. “Are you thinking that once Owen’s fingers are past the shield, he could use his magic on a person?”

  “Yes. The shield blocks magic, but not physical objects.”

  And magic would work inside a null shield bubble as long as the magic wasn’t directed at something outside the bubble’s walls. “He’d have to channel the power through his body and to the ends of his fingertips. Difficult to do, but not impossible. That is if the shield doesn’t go through his hand, but rather flows around it like invisible water.”

  “Would Leif know?”

  “If he doesn’t, it wouldn’t be hard to find out.”

  Tugging his sleeve down, Valek fiddled with the cuff. “Speaking of hands, it was interesting about the illusion Rika tried to trick you with, and how you noticed her fingers didn’t match the rest. Do you think it was the physical contact that negated the magical effects?”

  With everything that had happened since then, I’d forgotten about that. “If it did, then I would have been able to see her whole body under the illusion and not just her hand.”

  “Unless it’s just the part that is in direct contact with you. Perhaps what’s blocking your magic will block others’, as well.”

  Interesting indeed. Could there be a bright side after all? “I can experiment with that when I’m back in Sitia.” I’d love to neutralize the bastard with a touch. Thinking about Owen... “What happens after we deal with the Storm Thieves? Are we going to Sitia?”

  Valek’s expression hardened. “If I leave Ixia, it will be an act of treason.”

  “You said the Commander is under Owen’s influence.”

  “I know, but I’m still hoping to repair my relationship with the Commander.” He stepped close and cupped my cheek with his hand. “It’ll never be the same as before, but I don’t wish to destroy any chance I have to retire on a positive note.”

  “Retire?” That was new.

  “Someone has to change diapers while you’re saving the world, love.”

  My heart melted over his willingness to retire for me and the baby. “Me? Save the world? So you’re a comedian and an expert diaper changer. Wow, did I hook a keeper or what?”

  He bowed. “You have the total package.”

  “I’d swoon, except I’m guessing I don’t have time.”

  “No. The boys will be here soon to escort us to the stables.” Valek pointed to the clothes I held. “You’ll need to change into an Ixian adviser’s uniform in order to blend in once we’re away from the castle.” Valek retrieved his own pack and sorted through the contents.

  As I added the solid black pants and shirt with two red diamonds stitched onto the collar to my pack, I mulled over our conversation. “What will I do then? I can’t return to the castle and I’m not going to sulk about Ixia, hiding.” And do nothing.

  Valek didn’t answer. And I realized why he remained quiet.

  “You don’t really need me at the coast. It makes more sense for me to travel to Sitia. Then I can experiment, consult with Leif and my father. It—”

  “No. Too dangerous.”

  “It’s dangerous to give Owen time to set his plans in motion.”

  “We have time.”

  “How do you know?”

  Valek folded his black sneak suit. “We have until the fire festival.” Gathering an impressive number of knives, Valek slid them into various pockets in his uniform and into hidden places in his knapsack. “It’s not like the Commander to make an execution a public spectacle. Just hanging the man for abusing his power is enough of a deterrent. News would eventually spread to even the remotest post.”

  A tendril of unease snaked around my heart. “You think the Commander has another reason for requiring all his soldiers to be at the fire festival?”

  He met my gaze. “Yes.”

  “And this reason includes Owen?”

  “Yes.”

  When I considered how close Castletown was to the Sitian Citadel, the tendril thickened and squeezed. “They’re going to invade Sitia!”

  14

  VALEK

  “We need to warn Sitia,” Yelena said.

  “Of what? Our gut feeling? We’ve no proof, love.”

  “But the Commander’s army might invade.”

  “And they might not. Besides, I’d hang for treason if I warned Sitia of an attack.”

  “I won’t.”

  “You wouldn’t hang for treason, but the Commander would consider you an enemy of Ixia and send an assassin after you. We’ll just have to ruin Owen’s plans well before the fire festival.”

  “How? We need to consult with Leif and my father about those Harman saplings. And the null shields.”

  Valek loved watching Yelena puzzle out a problem. Her brow crinkled and he suppressed the desire to smooth the ridge with a kiss. “I’ve a loyal and skilled agent who is going to deliver messages for us. Once Leif responds to your missive, she’ll bring it to us in MD-1.”

  Yelena frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Where in MD-1?”

  “The northern coast.”

  “Too far. Once Leif learns Owen is in Ixia, he’ll return to the Citadel. Even if your agent had the fastest horse in Ixia, it would still take her twelve days to travel that distance. And messages aren’t effective. If Leif doesn’t understand something, it will be a twenty-four-day wait until he does. Plus, you can’t brainstorm ideas.”

  “No.” The word sprang without thought from his primal core. The place deep down inside him that screamed, You will stay with me!

  “You know it’s logical.”

  To hell with logic. “We’re stronger together. You said so yourself.” Ha. She couldn’t logic her way out of that one.

  “Yes, for when we go against Owen. Not against a gang of Storm Thieves. I’ll just be in the way.”

  “Fine. I’m coming with you to Sitia.”

  “You can’t.”

  “I’ll wear a disguise.”

  “And what happens when the reports keep coming in from MD-1 about those Storm Thieves?”

  He crossed his arms, refusing to acknowledge her point.

  She answered for him. “The Commander learns you committed treason.”

  “I’ll stay in Sitia.”

  “And let Owen win?”

  Determined to remain stubborn, he kept silent.

  “All right. We let Owen win, and he eventually convinces the Commander to invade Sitia, where we’ll be living. You, me and our child. How long do you think Sitia will last? I guess we
could go into hiding, wear disguises and live in constant fear. That’s a healthy environment to raise a child.” Her tone indicated it would be anything but. “And we both know it’s a matter of time before the Commander hunts us down.”

  Damn it all to hell! Valek growled every single curse he knew as impotent fury surged through him. At this moment, he hated logic. He wanted to take his knife and stab it through its cold calculating heart. Why couldn’t he be selfish and irrational for once? Damn it all to hell!

  “I’m not happy about it, either. But I won’t be gone long,” Yelena said in a soft voice. “We can rendezvous and return to the castle together.”

  “Have you forgotten there’s an assassin after you?” he asked.

  “I’ll head straight for the Magician’s Keep. I’ll be safe there.”

  “Then take Ari and Janco with you. Please.”

  “Will the Commander agree?”

  “I’ll make sure he does.”

  “All right.”

  He pulled her into a hug as he accepted the inevitable. “This is the last time we say goodbye.”

  “Don’t say that. We have many more goodbyes and hellos left.”

  “I meant—”

  “I know, and that’s a sweet sentiment, but even you know it’s impossible.”

  “You mean you won’t let me lock you in a tower so you can never leave?”

  She gazed up at him. “Tempting...but no.”

  “You’ll promise to be extra careful?”

  “Of course.”

  They finished packing just as the guard knocked on the door to inform them that Ari and Janco had arrived. The man retreated back to his post. Valek slung his pack over his shoulder and grabbed Yelena’s.

  He grunted. “What’s in here? Rocks?”

  “Books. And don’t you start being all...” She tugged on the handle. “I can carry it.”

  “Being all what?” Keeping a firm grip on her pack, he strode to the door.

  She hustled beside him. “Being all...my-wife-is-pregnant-and-she-can’t-do-anything...overprotective.”

  “Me, overprotective? You must have mistaken me for another man,” he teased.

  She swatted him on the arm.