“I see.” A shrewd gleam shone in his eyes. “I will talk to the Council. However, if they agree, Hale might be assigned as your almost constant companion.”
“He shouldn’t hinder my work.” An annoyance, but I could deal with his presence. One thing at a time. First the null shield.
The Council granted my request after a week-long debate. By this time, the shortage of glass messengers had reached a critical level. I increased my output and filled orders. Skippy and his friends, Junior and Buddy, took turns babysitting me.
At the beginning of the warm season, I invited Pazia to my rooms after my shift in the glass shop. Fifteen days had passed since I won my concession.
As soon as my door closed, she asked, “Why do you think babysitters are better than the null shield?”
“I’m hoping to outwit the babysitters.”
“Good luck.” She pulled her golden hair out of a ponytail, letting it cascade past her shoulders. Even dressed in stained work clothes, her slim waist and petite build were enhanced. She could wear a burlap sack and still have Piecov follow her around like a dog in heat.
“Tea?” I offered.
“Sure.” She glanced around my living area. “You could use a few pretties to brighten up the place.”
“I’m not allowed to have glass in here.”
“Oh.”
I placed a couple chunks of wood on the banked coals, prodding a fire to life for the teakettle.
“Mara would flip if she knew you had her coal.” Pazia grinned. “How about you do my mathematical assignment and I won’t rat you out?”
“Nice try. I’d rather endure Mara’s lecture than do pages of equations.”
“Me, too. I used to be able to get out of doing those assignments.”
I poured the hot water into two mugs. “How?”
“Most of my instructors were weaker than me. I just convinced them they had seen my homework.”
A reminder of how powerful she had been. She’d had the potential to be a Master Magician if it wasn’t for me. I handed her a steaming mug.
“Don’t start,” she said, correctly reading my expression. “You defended yourself.” She sipped her tea. “I’m sure you didn’t invite me here to reminisce.”
“No. We could only do that if we had good times together.”
“Well, visiting you in jail was fun for me,” Pazia teased.
“And saving you from those thugs at the jewelry store was fun for me,” I countered.
“All right. Point taken.”
We drank our tea in silence. I then asked her about her diamond-edged bowl. “Where did you get the idea?”
“The cobalt glass reminds me of sapphires and I love sapphires with diamonds. Blue and silver.”
“Where did you get the diamonds?”
She shot me a shrewd look. “You’re going someplace with this. Right?”
“Right.”
“I bought them from Elita. And, yes, she’s still in business. She helped to capture Mr. Lune, so was only slapped with a huge fine and probation for selling black-market diamonds.”
“Could the diamonds give you a power boost?”
“From hardly anything to barely something?” Sarcasm rendered her voice sharp. She drew in a breath, held it and released it. “Sorry. At a quarter carat, the diamonds are too small to hold any usable power. Maybe if I had put carat-size or larger on the bowl, I could enhance my magic.”
“How about if you put the diamond inside the glass?”
“Why would you do that?” The idea dismayed her.
I explained about the glass animals in Ognap with their ruby hearts.
“Odd. Most people who own jewels want to be able to touch them.”
“I felt a vibration, but I thought that was just me.” The animals had pulsed in my hand as if their hearts beat.
“It is you. Normal people feel a connection to the stone. More an affection than an actual buzz. To encase it in glass would…frustrate me. I would never do it.”
“I guess your father doesn’t mind. The sculptures had Vasko certificates.”
Pazia thumped her mug on the end table. “My father would never allow anyone to put his rubies in glass. Are you sure the certificates were genuine?”
“No. They could have been fakes. But how can your father control where his rubies go? Once he sells them, they could be resold without his knowledge.”
A humorless smile spread on her face. “You’d be surprised how easy it is to get your way when you have a lot of money and power. My father has contracts with his sellers to ensure they are sold properly. He hires auditors and undercover investigators to keep track of them.
“Hell, he tracks his rubies from the moment they are mined. No one steals from Vasko. He probably already knows about the fake certificates, but I’d like to send my father a message just in case.”
A reasonable request. “Sure. But before you go, do you think you could access magic from, say, a two-carat-charged diamond encased in glass?”
“I don’t know. We could experiment.”
“You could. I’m not allowed to experiment with glass.”
Understanding lit her face. “Who is going to pay for the diamond?”
“Wait here.” I retreated to my bedroom. Digging through the pockets of my cloak, I felt for an appropriate-size lump. When my fingers touched the smooth gem, an ice-cold pain pierced my hand. An image of Crafty filled my mind.
My arm turned numb as I rejoined Pazia. “Is this big enough?” I dropped the gem into her palm.
She pinched the diamond between her thumb and index finger. Holding it up to the firelight, she examined it. “It’s already charged with magic.” Awe filled her hushed voice. “Who’s magic is this?”
“Doesn’t matter. Keeping this quiet is all that matters right now.”
“Why?”
“Just testing a theory.”
“Opal…”
“It could be nothing. Just trust me on this.”
“You will explain it to me sometime?”
“I promise.”
“All right.” She pocketed the diamond. “I’ll let you know what happens.” She walked to the door and paused. Grinning, she yanked it open. Skippy tumbled into my room, landing in a heap on the floor.
Pazia tsked and stepped over him. “How rude, listening through the keyhole. Have you forgotten already?”
He untangled his legs and stood. “Forgotten what?”
She rapped on the open door. “Thick mahogany wood to protect the students. Almost soundproof. I hope the splinters in your ear don’t get infected.” Pazia turned to go, but glanced over her shoulder. “I take that back. I do hope the splinters get infected.”
I played the good little girl for another two weeks, then stopped making the messengers again. Called into Master Bloodgood’s office, I explained how the constant surveillance of Skippy and his crew had distracted me.
“He listens at my door when I have company,” I said. “I’ve no privacy. I’m sure after demonstrating my willingness to cooperate after a month and a half, the Council can relax. I’m in the Keep after all, surrounded by magicians.”
With an amused half smile, Bain Bloodgood said he would present my…ah…request to the Council.
“Are you making any progress on your assignment?” he asked.
“No. I’ve gone through ten history books and haven’t found anything.” I couldn’t be the only glass magician. Then again, I hadn’t known about my powers until Yelena’s visit, when she saw the inner glow in my sculptures. Perhaps another possessed the same ability, but hadn’t realized the significance. “Master Bloodgood, I need to go to the market.”
He studied my face. “You have an idea. Wonderful. Of course, Hale must accompany you.”
“I’d be lonely without him.”
The next day between my morning workout with the Weapons Master and my afternoon classes, I headed west toward the Citadel’s market. Skippy trailed behind and I ignored his co
mplaints about missing lunch.
Located dead center of the Citadel, the market was open every day until the hot season. Then it only opened one day a week. Many of the inhabitants left when the heat baked the Citadel’s marble walls, turning the whole place into a giant oven.
Businesses and factories radiated from the market like rings around a target. The residences of the citizens occupied the northwest and southwest corners.
The buzz of vendors and shoppers reached me first. Turning a corner, I stepped into the energy-filled market. After living a rather quiet existence, the smells and shouts threatened to overwhelm me. I hovered on the edge, watching the flow of commerce.
Soon a member of the Helper’s Guild appeared at my elbow. “Lovely lady, can I assist you today?” The young girl wore an eager expression. Her bright green sundress matched the color of her eyes.
“Yes. Can you please tell Fisk that Opal Cowan would like to speak to him?” I slipped her a copper.
Her demeanor stayed the same. “Master Fisk has trained me and I can help you as well as he can.”
“I know, but I’m a friend of…Master Fisk’s and I would like to talk with him.” I stifled a giggle over calling Fisk master. At fifteen, he was five years younger than me, but he founded the Helper’s Guild, creating jobs and income for poor and abandoned children. I reconsidered. The title of master suited him.
She told me to wait before disappearing into the crowd.
Skippy’s loud sigh and tapping foot grated on my nerves. “You know she’s not coming back. I’m sure Fisk has better things to do than chat with you.”
His sneering tone almost caused me to kick him. Almost. I jabbed a finger at a smoking market stand. “Why don’t you get a beef pie for lunch? My treat.”
“No, thank you.”
He reminded me of Pazia before she lost her powers. Cocky, snobbish and entitled. He hadn’t experienced the ugly side of life where people deceive you and hurt you and lie to you. He would probably soil himself if threatened.
Fisk arrived and wrapped me in a bear hug. “Lovely Opal. It’s been years!”
My reply was muffled by his broad chest. He laughed and released me.
“It’s only been a few seasons. Although you’ve grown a foot taller and a foot wider since I last saw you!”
No longer a gangly young man, Fisk had filled out. Almost six feet tall, he gazed down at me. A few light brown hairs jutted from his square chin.
“Now you’re exaggerating.” He linked his arm in mine. “What can I do for you?”
“I need a book merchant. One who can uncover hard-to-find books.”
“And she’s in a hurry,” Skippy said.
Fisk turned his attention to the magician, and I introduced them.
“I can hire you a better bodyguard,” Fisk said. “One who is not so impatient.”
“I’m not her bodyguard,” Skippy said. “I’m her—”
“Babysitter.” I supplied. “The Council worries I might cause trouble.”
Skippy’s face reddened.
Fisk laughed with a deep chuckle. “I wouldn’t use the word might. More like when.”
I punched him on the arm. “You’re not helping my reputation.”
“From the rumors I’ve been hearing, your reputation is beyond help.”
“What have you been hearing?” I asked.
Fisk slid his gaze toward Skippy, then waved a hand in the air. “Oh, you know. The standard gossip. Now, let me show you to Alethea’s. She’s the best book finder in Sitia.”
Alethea proved to be knowledgeable and promised to hunt down books about glassmakers throughout history. While we browsed Alethea’s shop, two kids burst through the door. They argued about a silver coin one of them had lost. Just as they passed Skippy, they came to blows, knocking into the magician.
Fisk drew me into a back room. “That should keep him occupied for a moment. What’s going on?”
“It would take me days to fill you in.”
“I can distract your companion long enough for you to escape.”
“Another time that would be great.”
“How can I help?”
“I would like to purchase a set of lock picks without Skippy knowing about it.” I handed Fisk a gold coin.
“Too much.” He dug for change.
“Keep it. I also would like a switchblade. The Weapons Master believes they’re the tool of dishonorable thieves.”
“And you don’t agree?”
“No. I lean more toward the vital-to-my-survival type of tool.”
“There will still be plenty of money left over.”
“That’s for when I’m at the market with my babysitter, and I do this.” I pulled my hair into a ponytail.
“My signal for a distraction?”
“Yes.”
His light brown eyes sparked. “My favorite kind of job. Haggling for housewares has lost its appeal.”
“I’m surprised Yelena hasn’t recruited you for her missions,” I joked.
“Who says she hasn’t?” He winked.
Skippy barged into the back room. “What’s going on?”
“We’re looking at the books.” I swept my arm to indicate the shelves.
“Didn’t you hear the fight? Why didn’t you help?” The short black hair on his left side stuck up and dirt stained his gray pants.
“Help a powerful magician like you?” I asked, all innocence and wide-eyed. “Why, I’d just get in the way.” I breezed past him and called goodbye to Alethea. “Send me a message if you find anything.”
Fisk left to assist his other clients and I led Skippy back to the Keep.
For the next two weeks, I trained an extra hour with my sais each night instead of making my glass messengers. According to Master Bloodgood, the Council wasn’t pleased with my new…request. He warned the discussion had turned ugly at one point and a few Councilors wanted to force my cooperation.
“How?” I asked.
“You do not seem surprised. You have already considered this possibility.” He leaned back in his chair. “Your sister lives and works at the Keep. She would be the most logical target.”
“They threatened to harm her?” I grabbed my chair arms to keep from jumping to my feet.
“No. But they can consider firing and evicting her. See if that is enough.”
“They’ll risk upsetting Leif.”
“A calculated risk.”
“Is this official?” I asked.
“Not yet, but I would suggest you meet them halfway. How about a reduction in the number of hours you are watched when you are in the Keep?”
“That would work. For now.”
He tapped a finger on his long nose. “You have a plan. I take it this will not end here?”
“I’m sorry, Master Bloodgood. I didn’t mean for you to be caught in the middle.”
“Nonsense, child. I applaud your efforts to stand up for yourself. Just watch you do not get too greedy or too stubborn.” “Yes, sir.”
He dismissed me. Before I left, I pulled a few more texts from his shelves. I searched for history books reporting on the more mundane aspects of life instead of those focusing on the magical marvels.
With my arms full, I negotiated past his office door and down the empty hall. Most of the administration workers were gone for the day. Only a few industrious souls and the Master Magicians remained.
The musty smell of mold and dust emanated from the stack I held. I sneezed and almost dropped the pile onto the floor. Sitting down, I shuffled the volumes to build a steadier heap.
As I worked, familiar voices reached me. Zitora’s office was nearby. Her murmur reminded me of the time I had fallen asleep while she lectured me on diplomatic negotiations. I inched closer. Skippy waited for me in the lobby downstairs.
A man’s garbled voice answered her. I put the books down and scooted next to the doorknob. The conversation continued without interruption. She had to know I crouched outside her door. No one could sn
eak up on a Master Magician.
Perhaps she didn’t care. Or she felt the topic of their discussion was safe for me to overhear. Perhaps she wanted me to listen. Yeah, right. I guess if I convinced myself she wanted me to eavesdrop, it would make me a better person than Skippy.
I collected my books and stood. Pathetic. I wouldn’t stoop to underhanded spying.
“……Ulrick…convinced her…Devlen…poor girl,” Zitora’s muffled voice said. “She could use…understanding…”
I couldn’t move. She talked about me. Even muffled, her words still stabbed me.
“…do all…I can…help,” was the reply.
I recognized the man’s voice and staggered. My stack of books tipped over as I tried to catch my balance. They crashed to the hard tile floor as I slipped and fell. Together we caused a smashing sound to echo down the empty hallway. Loud enough to draw Zitora and her visitor from her office.
12
AT THAT INSTANT, I WISHED I COULD TURN GRAY AND MELT INTO the grout on the floor. But no such luck. Zitora and Kade peered down at me. She showed no surprise. Kade, on the other hand, lit up as if I was an unexpected gift.
He knelt next to me and gathered me in his arms. “Are you all right?”
I pushed him away. I hadn’t seen him in three months and the first thing he did was go to Zitora’s office.
“Don’t let me interrupt your important meeting with Master Cowan,” I said. I stood and wiped imaginary dirt off my pants. Stacking the books, I hefted them in my arms.
“We were just finishing,” Zitora said. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“That’s what you do best,” I said, “leave.”
“Opal,” she warned.
“What? Are you going to punish me for my insolence? I hope you’re creative about it. As far as bad things, there’s not much left that I haven’t already endured.”
She exchanged a glance with Kade. One of those see-what-I-mean type of looks, before retreating to her office.
I continued down the hall without bothering to see if Kade followed or not. Bad enough he stopped to see her first, but to fall for her lies about Ulrick…
Kade fell into step beside me. “Did it ever occur to you I was on my way to see you in Master Bloodgood’s office when Zitora stopped me?”
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