Storm Glass

30

DEVLEN WOKE ME from a light doze. He held a clamp in one hand and a knife in the other. He had changed his clothes and smelled of soap. “The fun begins,” he said as Sir and Tal came for Kade.

They untied his hands and feet, but left the netting draped around him until Crafty entered the storeroom. She pulled the net off him. Sir and Tal drew their weapons and stepped back as the Stormdancer stood.

Crafty said, “I have a null shield around him.”

Kade rubbed the blood back into his arms and legs. His focus never left Devlen. The Warper positioned a clamp on my left arm, twisting the screw until the device was secured enough to stay put without causing me pain.

“Crafty will escort you outside. As soon as the null shield is dropped, you’re to fill the orbs, and teach her how to dance,” Sir said.

“How many orbs?” Kade asked.

“I’m sure the great and wonderful Kade can fill at least five,” Tal said. He picked up five empty ones from the table, leaving two behind.

“If Crafty can dance, five will be fine,” Kade said. “If she can’t, I can only do three.” His tone remained flat.

I eyed the extra orbs. Potential weapons? Not if no one attacked me with magic. Besides, I couldn’t reach them.

I cried out as Devlen dug his thumb into my hip. “Deviate from your job in any way and—”

“Save the threat. I said I would cooperate. Let’s go.” Kade led the way from the room with a sense of purpose in his stride as if he were the one in charge. Crafty, Sir and Tal hurried after him.

After a few uncomfortable moments alone with Devlen, Tricky brought in Devlen’s pack. The day turned from bad to worse. Kaya’s orb sounded agitated and upset, emitting a high-pitched keening louder than the blizzard’s winds.

“We are going to try an experiment,” Devlen said, digging into his bag. “I know how much you like them.” He withdrew a knife.

“Let me see…somewhere her boyfriend won’t notice.” Devlen pushed my sleeve up, exposing my elbow. “Sit up. I want your arm bent.”

I struggled into a sitting position. My wrists ached from being manacled.

“Find the bowl,” Devlen ordered Tricky.

The storm winds shook the rafters. Tricky glanced up before searching in Devlen’s pack. “Your Stormdancer better hurry,” he said as he removed a wooden bowl from the bag.

“Hold it under her elbow.” Devlen rested the knife’s blade against my forearm.

The inside of the bowl was stained dark brown. Unease twisted around my heart.

Once the bowl was in position, Devlen cut a long gash in my arm. I gasped as fire raced along my skin. Blood welled and flowed, splattering the bowl with crimson drops.

When the bleeding stopped, Tricky asked Devlen, “More?”

“No. We’ll start small. I don’t want to waste blood if it doesn’t work.”

“It better work.” Tricky stared at me with murder in his eyes.

“Even though her powers are weak, blood magic is very powerful. I will inject her blood into your skin and we’ll see if that helps you reclaim any of your magic. There are bandages in my pack. Cover her wound and join me when you’re done. I need a fire to complete the ritual.”

“What about her? Sir said to stay—”

“She isn’t going anywhere. Let her alone. Besides—” Devlen cocked his head as if listening to the storm “—the winds are dying down. I suspect you will have plenty of orbs to appease your General friend.” He left the room, taking my blood with him.

Tricky dug through the pack, removing items as he rummaged. He laid Kaya’s orb and a pair of Devlen’s pants on the ground, scattering a few other things. Finding the bandages, he quickly stuffed most of the items back in.

He delighted in causing me pain as he cleaned and wrapped my cut and pulled my sleeve down.

“If this blood magic works, then I get to siphon the Stormdancer’s power. Once he teaches Crafty, we won’t need him anymore.” He laughed at my dismay. “I don’t trust you in here by yourself.” Tricky put his hand on the screw.

“Don’t—”

He tightened the clamp. Pain dominated all my senses, but I clung to the knowledge that, in his haste, Tricky missed the little silver key.

My world returned the moment the pressure abated. Devlen held the clamp. His mouth twisted in displeasure as he scanned the others in the storeroom. Sir and Tal carried Kade. Exhaustion pulled on him and he offered no resistance as they bound his hands and wrapped him in the null shield net. He appeared to fall asleep the moment he was pushed to the floor.

“Can you dance the storms?” Sir asked Crafty.

“Yes. But with two of us, we get more orbs.”

“He’ll eventually cause trouble.” Sir turned to Devlen. “What about this blood magic Tricky’s so excited about? He has regained some power. Does that mean if you transferred the Stormdancer’s powers to Tricky, he could dance in the storms?”

Devlen’s blood magic experiment had worked. However, this bit of news didn’t spark a brilliant plan for escape.

“He should have the magic. He will need to learn how to use it. But Tricky must follow my orders or else I’ll keep the Stormdancer’s power for myself.” Annoyance colored the last few words.

“Oh, come on.” Sir gestured to me. “It was a measure of revenge for what she did to him.”

“What if she had a connection with the Stormdancer and he felt her distress while harnessing the storm’s energy? All deals would have been off and he would have ripped this place to shreds.”

“You cut her on the arm,” Sir shot back.

“A moment of pain.”

“Didn’t matter anyway. He danced and we’ve cornered the market!” Sir’s eyes lit up. “We’ll send the full orbs back with Namir and his crew after the next storm. He can sell them in Sitia. Factories outside the Stormdance lands will be willing to pay lots of gold for them. Since the Stormdancer Clan can’t make their own orbs, we can sell our empty ones to their clan. The blizzard died before reaching MD-1, so the General has his proof we’ve done the job and we’ll have even more gold.”

Sir left in good spirits to make his plans. Devlen turned to me.

“Why don’t you want Kade’s power?” I asked.

“If I didn’t help Tricky, he would have found a way to kill you. I need you alive for now. One more storm and then you will keep your promise and find the prison.”

“One more?”

“These northern blizzards come in pairs about a day apart. I waited almost five years to find my mentor. I can wait a little more.” When Devlen turned to leave, he stopped. “What’s this?” He bent over and picked up the key. “Where did this come from?”

All plans for using the key vanished. I’d admit the plans were vague and dependent on many factors, but still it could have been useful. No reason to lie, I told him about Tricky’s mess.

“Must have been frustrating, knowing it was there and unable to get to it.”

“You want me to admit it so you can feel a perverse pleasure from my aggravation?”

His gaze flattened. “I take no pleasure in this. I wanted to be Ulrick the entire time, tricking you into finding the prison.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Stay with me after we free my mentor. I lied to Sir. I intended you to be my Kirakawa sacrifice. Instead, I’ll teach you blood magic. We’ll increase your limited powers, and you won’t have to worry about being at anyone’s mercy again.”

I stared at him, seeking deceit. He seemed sincere in his offer and I was unable to match the man before me and the man who frequently tortured me. The thought of not being at anyone’s mercy, especially his, was tempting. “I don’t trust you. You have no qualms with lying. Even if I agree to stay with you, you’ll probably use me for the ritual anyway.”

“Everyone lies when it suits their needs, and everybody uses people, too. It’s in our nature.”

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.

“Time to dance,” Sir said. He and Tal bent over Kade. Crafty raised her arms.

“Now,” I yelled. I yanked my wrists from the cuffs and broke the glass spider in half. Kade leaped to his feet and tossed the net over Crafty. She yelped in surprise.

Bite Tricky, I ordered the spider.

Jumping from the pile, I grabbed one of the empty orbs. From the doorway Janco threw Kaya’s orb at Kade. He caught it in midair.

Janco spun and the clangs of a sword fight rang from the hallway as he blocked the entrance to the room. A snippet of a rhyme, “Five against one is so much fun,” hopefully meant Janco kept Namir and his men occupied. He wouldn’t last long.

An angry breeze stirred to life. And died.

Devlen smirked. “Now what?” He pointed to Tal and Sir, both had swords mere inches from Kade. His fingers grasping the stopper to Kaya’s orb, Kade grimaced with pain.

The spider had disappeared, leaving behind a nasty red welt and a livid man. Crafty found the hole in the net and shrugged it off of her. It landed in a heap.

“Crafty isn’t the only one who knows how to work a null shield,” Devlen said, breaking the silence. “It was one of the first skills I learned.” He considered Kade. “Now if the Stormdancer releases the energy inside his orb while he’s caught in a null shield, I’m assuming we’ll all die. But I really don’t think he wants you to die.” He turned to me. “And what are you planning? Unless one of us attacks you with magic, the empty orb is nothing but glass in your hands.”

I had miscalculated and underestimated Devlen. Failed. The rings of steel and grunts from the hallway ceased with a curse. Janco came into the room with his hands behind his head. Rutz and Shen following with swords aimed at his back.

“Did I miss the party?” Janco asked.

“Oh no. We’re just beginning,” Devlen said.

I still held the orb.

Devlen stepped toward me unconcerned.

I could smash it on his head or use a broken shard to cut my throat.

“Back into your chains like a good girl.” His manner confident. He expected me to obey without hesitation.

Being an accommodating doormat, I had always listened to him. Not this time. Glass was in my hands. It throbbed with potential.

I reached. Reached toward Devlen and siphoned his magic. The clinks of glass sounded like hail on the windows. He struggled in panic, but to no avail. I pulled until he had nothing left.

Crafty started to move her null shield to encompass me, but I reached for her power before it touched me. Crafty’s magic rained into the orb for many minutes until I drained her dry. I turned to Tricky and plucked at his small power. It refused to budge. He grinned with triumph until a gust of wind slammed him into the wall, knocking him unconscious.

I staggered back as Kade used the air to disarm the rest of the men. The realization of what I had done knocked me to my knees.

I didn’t channel Devlen’s and Crafty’s magic.

I stole it. Using my own powers.

Dizziness and exhaustion swirled. Pressing my forehead on the floor, I closed my eyes.