Storm Glass g-1

by Maria V. Snyder

  My thoughts turned to his comments about Ulrick. However much I resisted the notion, he had been right about my feelings toward Ulrick. I had kept my distance even when I knew Ulrick desired me.

  I tried to justify my actions with Devlen. But in my heart, I couldn’t say for sure if I would have stuck to my decision the previous night and made love to the real Ulrick. I had to acknowledge the fact that it was Devlen I had been drawn to—not Ulrick. I hoped Ulrick was really safe from harm. And I hoped I would live through this ordeal, so I could explain everything to him, and apologize.

  Various plans to escape, to fight and to trick formed in my mind, but all of them led nowhere because I didn’t have enough information. I would have to wait and see what developed, but the tightness around my chest eased a bit. At least I had a few reactions planned, so if a particular situation arose, I wouldn’t hesitate.

  Eventually I drifted into sleep. Snow-filled dreams swirled. I didn’t need the potion as we drew closer to the ice sheet. Details of Icefaren Station sharpened and I could see the scratches on the rocky sides of the pit. A snow cat crouched at the edge, its white coat invisible against the snow. The predator moved away. Its sleek muscles capable of incredible power and speed. Snow cats were almost impossible to hunt. All their senses were heightened to such a degree a hunter couldn’t even get within bow-and-arrow range. The Commander of Ixia was the only known person to kill one.

  My dream followed the creature. About four feet long and three feet high, the snow cat circled the buildings of the station before heading west. The landscape seemed vast and flat until I viewed it through the snow cat’s eyes. Then ridges of ice and mounds of snow were visible. And a den, filled with six other cats. The heat from their bodies welcoming. Farther inside the white walls turned to gray. A small cave with a pool of water. The cat stopped to drink. At the bottom of the pool rested one of my glass animals, pulsing with a muddy red light. Gede’s prison. The Story Weaver turned Warper. Devlen’s teacher.

  I jerked awake.

  “What did you see?” Devlen asked. His splayed hand rested on my stomach. Fingertips near pain spots.

  “A pit. Buildings.” I could tell him where the prison was. Seven snow cats, more than adequate guards.

  “The glass prison?”

  “Near the pit. That’s why it called to me. If they dig any wider, they will find it.”

  “Who is there?”

  “Nobody now, but something is being mined from the pit. Probably during the warmer seasons.” The truth.

  He moved his hand away. I remembered to breathe. Weak sunlight lit the shelter. I stood and stretched my stiff muscles while Devlen stirred the fire to life. Two of Namir’s men woke, but Namir and the others came in from outside, bringing a cold blast of air with them.

  “Everything’s covered with ice,” Namir said. “We’re going to need a chisel to break up the sand covering her hidey-hole. It’s gonna be hard smoothing it out.”

  “Since you’re so worried about being caught with her,” Devlen said, “we’ll travel on our own a few days earlier than planned, and you can make your delivery without trouble.”

  Rutz and Shen glanced at each other, then at Namir.

  “Well…me and the boys been talking.” Namir hooked his thumb in his belt near a sword.

  I couldn’t remember if he always wore a sword or not.

  “We’re a little concerned about your girl,” Rutz said.

  Owin and Yannis joined them. Knives and swords that I hadn’t noticed before hung from belts.

  “And we’ve grown fond of the little girl. Don’t want to see her hurt,” Shen said. “Looks to us like she doesn’t want to be with you.”

  “I assure you, gentlemen, she’s quite content with my company.” Devlen stood with his sword in hand.

  “We think she would be safer with us.” Namir drew his weapon.

  “Since we disagree. Let’s ask her. Opal, who would you rather be with?” Devlen kept his tone neutral.

  I had a choice. Stay with the Warper or go with the men. Devlen’s pain was horrible. Rape was horrible. A choice of two horrors. As Leif would say, “Yippee for me.” But with five against one, would I really have a choice?

  “Thank you for your concern. I—”

  The shelter’s door banged open. An Ixian soldier entered. In a heartbeat, the weapons returned to their holders. Devlen yanked my sleeves down to cover the cuffs.

  The big soldier wore black and orange—Military District 8’s colors. Three more men followed him inside. He eyed us with suspicion. “Something wrong?” he asked.

  “Perhaps you know the answer, Lieutenant,” Devlen said. “I said General Rasmussen has three daughters, but my friend insists he has two. Who’s right?”

  “Neither. The General has one daughter and twin boys.” The Lieutenant’s concern disappeared as Namir’s men laughed.

  “My wife was right after all.” Devlen draped an arm around my shoulder.

  Another soldier entered. “The wagons are clean,” he said to the Lieutenant.

  “Of course they are,” Namir said, sounding offended, “special delivery for MD-1.”

  “Papers, please.” The Lieutenant inspected each one with care. “Why are you traveling with these merchants?” he asked me. His eyes were a light blue and small white curls poked out from under his wool cap.

  I stared at the soldier. He seemed familiar, and he presented me with a chance to cause trouble and escape from Devlen. A chance to get everyone arrested and hope they didn’t kill me right away. Should I take the chance?

  “We’re not with these merchants, sir,” Devlen said. “Just sharing the shelter. My wife and I are on our way home from visiting relatives.”

  “I didn’t ask you. Ma’am?”

  29

  IF I TOLD the Ixian soldier I was a hostage, we would be arrested and two scenarios could happen from there. Devlen would claim I was a magician and I would be executed without hesitation. Or they would listen to my story and confirm my connection with Liaison Yelena through one of Valek’s corps.

  Valek’s corps. Of course.

  “We met these men last night, sir. My husband and I are returning home from my parents’ house,” I said. The tension in Devlen’s arm eased.

  The Lieutenant handed my papers back to me. “You’ll want to hurry. A big blizzard is coming. I can feel it. You have three, maybe four days at most. Perhaps these merchants can take you north with them?”

  “It would be our pleasure,” Namir said.

  Right back where we started. I would have laughed at the ironic twist if the Ixians hadn’t been with us. The soldiers weren’t in any hurry to part ways, either. They traveled with us to the border of MD-1. The Lieutenant guided his horse alongside the lead wagon, talking with Namir and Devlen as if killing time.

  I sat on the second wagon as far away from Rutz as possible. His extra-wide smile when he had patted the seat next to him made my insides feel queasy. Glancing behind me, I counted the three other wagons. Shen leered and waved. Bile pushed up my throat, but I focused on the man driving the last wagon.

  Now I knew why Yannis wore his woolen cap all the time. Most people knew Janco, one of Valek’s second-in-commands, was missing the lower half of his right ear. And it wouldn’t be wise for these merchants or Devlen to suspect that Yannis was really Janco in disguise. I had put it together when I recognized the Lieutenant as Janco’s partner, Ari.

  They both had been at the Warper battle when Yelena defeated the Fire Warper. I had met them briefly after crafting the prisons for the souls. Janco had joked and called me the glass warden.

  I swung my attention forward. Ari and Janco were obviously part of an undercover operation, and I hadn’t wanted to jeopardize it. Janco knew about my predicament, yet he kept quiet when his partner showed up. I would just have to sit tight.

  A wave of relief passed through the men when the Ixian soldiers headed west. We crossed into MD-1 without any trouble. Namir took the Lieutenant’
s warning about the coming storm to heart. He pushed the caravan farther than usual, stopping late into the night.

  At least there was one person on my side. Five against two seemed better odds than six against one. Plus Janco’s skills with the sword were legendary. He wouldn’t be Valek’s second unless he could fight.

  I worried about when Janco needed to follow Namir, leaving me and Devlen alone again. Once we arrived at Icefaren Station, how would I find Kade? Pangs of nervousness echoed in my chest. I suppressed my turmoil back into my glass heart.

  The storm also proved to be a good distraction, especially since Namir promised to wake everyone well before dawn. The men collapsed into bed without a word about my situation. Although Devlen insisted on sharing my cot again, I was able to endure his touch by noting Yannis’s proximity.

  The next night Devlen and Namir held an intense discussion out of earshot. Devlen’s amused smile and hearty laugh stabbed through me. The chumminess couldn’t be to my benefit. Devlen confirmed my unease when he joined me, sliding under the covers.

  “I have a surprise for you,” he whispered.

  I tensed. “What is it?”

  “Namir’s delivery is to Icefaren Station. He can take us there.”

  “But I didn’t see anyone.” Mixed emotions rolled through me. Glad Yannis would be close, but scared about the other boys.

  “Did you see inside the buildings?”

  “No.” And that would also explain about the bloodstained snow. If it had happened during the hot or cooling season, the snow would have covered the stain by now.

  “Well then,” he said. Discussion over.

  As I considered this new information, a bit of hope bloomed. Miners at the station meant more people and potential allies.

  The next two days followed without incident. We reached the ice sheet as fat snowflakes drifted down. A blanket of dark gray clouds sealed the sky, allowing a pale half-light through. Full darkness would descend by early afternoon.

  According to Namir, it could snow for a full day before the killing winds came. The men hurried to switch the wagons’ wheels for wooden skids, making sleds. Dogs were exchanged for the horses.

  “No stops until we reach the station,” Namir said.

  “How long?” Devlen asked.

  “Four hours if we don’t hit any surprises.”

  I asked, “Surprises?”

  “Snow cats, crevasses, ridges, or if the winds start early.” Namir stared off to the west. “Bad timing.”

  I couldn’t agree more.

  The trip to the station turned into an ordeal. Big snowflakes soaked into our cloaks, and getting a sled full of sand over ridges involved a lot of muscle from everyone, including me. Each hour of effort meant I drew closer to the station, and I remained the only person not to be too excited by the sight of a cluster of wooden buildings in the distance.

  When we arrived, no one braved the weather to come out and greet us. By the time we stored the supplies in the shed and fed the dogs, the wind had increased. Those fluffy flakes became projectiles, stinging exposed skin. Rolling waves of snow encompassed us like a fog and visibility shrank. For once, I was glad of Devlen’s guiding hand on my elbow. Snow blindness took on a whole new meaning.

  We tumbled into the main building like an invading army—shouts and curses and stamping feet, surprising the occupants.

  I guess I should have known. Should have learned not to be shocked by anything and anyone. But no. My mouth gaped and my thoughts scattered.

  Sir and Tal argued with Namir. By Sir’s tone, I guessed our arrival was unexpected.

  “You’re not due for another week. And the last time you came, you led the Stormdancer right to us,” Sir said to Namir in anger. “Who did you bring this time?”

  They both looked at Devlen with expectation. An explanation was in order.

  A rush of movement to my left and I was slammed into the wall. Fists bunched in my cloak and my feet no longer touched the floor.

  Tricky. Pure fury burned in his eyes, and I feared for my life. He pulled me toward him and then shoved me back against the wall. My head banged hard enough to blur my vision as pain ringed my neck.

  More shouts. Yannis and Devlen yanking on Tricky’s shoulders. He dropped me and I huddled on the floor, thinking about my stupidity. How could I save Kade and Ulrick when I couldn’t even save myself?

  Then I began to understand Tricky’s hoarse yells.

  “Bitch…has…to…die.” He struggled against four other men. “Nothing…nothing left. She stole all my…magic…let me go.”

  Devlen’s fingers dug into Tricky’s collarbone. In moments, the big man slumped to the floor, unconscious.

  For a few heartbeats, the men panted and regained their breaths. I counted them. Namir and his three men, Devlen, Sir, Tricky, Tal—the traitor—and Crafty. Yannis hung near me. No Kade or Varun. Ten against two. No way.

  “Who the hell are you?” Sir demanded of Devlen.

  “Devlen, and I can prove it.”

  “An illusion?” Crafty asked. She was the only other magician in the room.

  “Blood magic.” Devlen explained about switching souls with Ulrick. “And I brought you a present.”

  Grabbing me by the arm, he yanked me to my feet.

  “We already know the sand recipe,” Tal said in a dismissive tone. “Ash has been making orbs for weeks and shipping them to us.” He gestured to Namir.

  “But she’s the only other person who knows it. Right now the Stormdancers don’t have anyone with that knowledge.” Devlen smiled. “I need her to help me, after that, she’s all yours.”

  Sir’s eyes gleamed with sudden understanding as cold calculation caused him to dance with glee. “And she’ll be very useful with a certain stubborn Stormdancer. Especially with this blizzard. He can fill all the orbs for us.”

  “It’s too soon,” Tal said. “The full energy of the storm won’t be on us until tomorrow.”

  “Then there’s plenty of time to convince him,” Sir said.

  “I can help with that,” Devlen said. “I’ll only need a few hours.”

  Horror swept through me, crushing my bones into powder. Kade was here. And they planned to use me to make Kade help them.

  “Take her in the back,” Sir said. “Next to the Stormdancer. Let them get reacquainted.”

  Tal carried a torch and led the way as Devlen pulled me along. I exchanged a glance with Yannis. Wait, I mouthed to him, hoping there would be an opportunity to use him later.

  The back ended up being a storeroom. New locks gleamed on the thick door. Inside the room, barrels littered the floor and piles of burlap sacks rested against the walls. A few empty orbs rested on a table. No windows and no fireplace, yet the one stone wall might be the backside of a hearth. I felt a bit of heat when I passed it. The torchlight swung over a net-covered bundle.

  “Over here,” Tal said. He pointed to a pair of manacles dangling from long chains attached to the ceiling.

  My metal cuffs wouldn’t fit inside, so Devlen removed them. I had a second of relief before my raw wrists were snapped into the manacles. He pocketed the small silver key and surveyed my new predicament. My feet didn’t touch the floor so Devlen moved a few sacks under me until I could stand.

  “No sense making you suffer yet,” he said. “Perhaps your friend will be reasonable and you won’t suffer at all.”

  Tal had gone over to the bundle and kicked it. “Wake up. We have a surprise for you.”

  The net-covered bundle groaned and rolled over. Kade appeared between the netting. I bit my lip to keep from crying out. He had been beaten. Bloody welts and huge purple bruises marked his jaw. His hands and feet were hog-tied behind him.

  Tal gestured to me. Kade turned his head and met my gaze. He closed his eyes for a moment as if enduring a wave of pain.

  The traitor watched him with a gloating satisfaction. “She’s special to you, isn’t she? You won’t let her get eaten by a snow cat like you did Varun. Wi
ll you?”

  Kade said nothing. He switched his attention to Devlen—he saw only Ulrick, though. Disappointment and chagrin touched his eyes before he stared at the men with determination.

  His stubborn resolve gave me an idea. Why not have him dance for these men? He would be allowed out of the null shield net. Given access to his powers. But I had to make it seem as if I didn’t want him to do it.

  I said, “Don’t give in. They won’t kill me.”

  Tal moved toward me, raising his fist. Devlen intercepted him. “Your crude methods won’t work.” He rummaged in his pack until he found one of his clamps.

  I couldn’t stop my cry of alarm.

  “Hold her still.” Devlen instructed Tal where to hold me to immobilize my right leg.

  I struggled, not about to make it easy. “Don’t give in,” I yelped when he found the horrid spot and positioned the clamp. “They won’t kill me.”

  “There are worse things than death,” Devlen said as he tightened the screw. “We’ll give him a few hours to think it over.”

  Once the clamp pressed into my leg, my ability to form coherent words dissolved as my world shrank to a single intolerable sensation—worse than death.

  When the pain stopped, I reconnected to the world.

  Devlen stood before me. “Good news. Your Stormdancer decided to cooperate. But you’ll have to hang out here for a while. At least until the storm blows over.”

  He moved aside to let Shen and Rutz build up a pile of sacks under me. Enough so I could lie down and still be attached to the ceiling.

  “The boys are very concerned about your welfare,” Devlen said. “I think they’re hoping you’ll show your gratitude.”

  Rutz rubbed against me as he positioned another bag. I jerked away.

  “They even offered to help convince the Stormdancer, because they thought my methods too harsh.” Devlen swept his arm out, pointing toward Kade.

  Kade had risen to his knees. He was pressed against the net as far as he could go. If it hadn’t been attached to the wall, I guessed he would have been next to me.