A pleasant thought. “But he’ll tell the Council and the small bit of trust I’ve gained would be lost.”
We rubbed the horses down and made sure they both had fresh water and hay in their stalls. The Stable Master stopped by as we cleaned tack.
“You don’t have much finesse with a horse, son. Practice and a good instructor should fix it. But I’ve a feeling you two are heading out soon?”
“As soon as we can,” Kade said.
“Figures. Always rushing off!” He poked me in the shoulder. “I expect you to continue your training when you get back.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even though my tired arms ached, I needed to spend a couple hours in the glass shop crafting messengers. It would take me a few days to finish a hundred.
I introduced Kade to my sister. Mara sized him up with a lingering and suspicious gaze. “Is he the Stormdancer you and Ulrick rescued?” she asked me as if he wasn’t standing in front of her.
I cringed, but she didn’t spare a glance for me.
“I owe Opal my life,” Kade said.
“But not Ulrick? Did Ulrick fool you, too?” she asked.
“Mara—”
“Ulrick did not fool me.” Kade’s voice turned icy.
“Why didn’t you tell Opal then?” Her tone flared into an accusation.
“Mara, that’s enough!” Her hostility surprised me.
“No, it isn’t.” She fisted her skirt in her hands. “I want an answer. He let you believe that blood-magic story.” She rounded on him. “Do you know she’s been sulking in her rooms for the past two months? Avoiding her friends and family?”
She was right. I avoided her. I didn’t want to lie to her.
“My sulking isn’t Kade’s fault,” I said. “He tried to tell me. I didn’t listen to him, either.” More lies. Wonderful. “I’m not avoiding you. I’ve just been busy with my classes and training.” Liar.
“But you have no trouble finding time for him.”
She sounded jealous and hurt. I had wanted to be closer to her, but I did the opposite. “He needs me to help with the Stormdancer orbs.”
“I need you too.” Her soft voice filled with pain.
At that moment, I would rather be with Devlen than standing here. I would rather endure the agony of a pressure point than say what I had to say. “You don’t need me, Mara. You have Leif and Mother’s messages and the glass shop to run.”
“Is that what you really believe?” Her words punctured my heart.
No! “Yes.” I turned away. “I have work to do.” Groping for a pontil iron, I managed to pick one up and gather a slug of molten glass despite the tremors in my arms. With single-minded determination, I worked on sculpting the glass and blowing magic inside.
I kept up a fast pace, concentrating on the glass. This used to be enjoyable, turning fire into ice. Not anymore. When I finally glanced up, Mara and Kade were gone. Only Skippy remained. After my little performance, Skippy was the only company I deserved.
I soaked in the bath until my skin wrinkled. Reluctant to leave the bathhouse, I lingered while changing and combing my hair. All those hours spent training in the sunlight had streaked the brown strands with gold, reminding me of Mara’s curls. Guilt pierced my stomach. I would apologize to her for my harsh words when I resolved this mess. Perhaps I should write her a note explaining everything in case something happened to me.
Pessimistic thoughts. I really needed to escape the Keep. Walking through the campus, I searched for fond memories of my time here. The glass shop used to be a safe haven, the memorial garden rekindled my connection with the glass prisons and the student barracks reminded me of the lonely years I spent there. My fault for keeping everyone away, but no warm remembrances to grasp.
Skippy’s shift had to be over because Junior followed me. A quiet man, he seemed intent on his duty and he kept his opinions of me and the situation to himself. I slowed, waiting for him to catch up.
He hesitated, swiping his black hair from his eyes. Confusion creased his thick eyebrows together. “Something wrong?” he asked.
“No. I…” What? “I wondered what you’d be doing if you didn’t have to watch me.”
“Oh.” He blinked at me. “I’d be helping in the infirmary.”
“You’re a healer?”
“Not a strong one, but enough to help.” He shrugged.
“Then why did they assign you to baby…er…guard me?”
“I can erect a null shield pretty fast. But I volunteered for this job.”
“Why?” I asked in surprise.
He searched my face as if seeking a sign of sincerity, then glanced away. “Not everyone believes you’re a danger. In fact, a few think the Council is being too harsh on you.” He pulled at his sleeve. “I thought I could…” He smoothed his shirt. “Help out…be a counter to Hale.” He fiddled with his cuff button. “Besides, if I wasn’t here, I’d be assigned to guard a Councilor.” He quirked a smile at me. “They’re all worried about a magical attack.”
“From me?”
“No. From anyone with magical powers. Councilor Moon has made them uneasy with her constant null shield. This—” he swept his hand out to indicate me and the campus “—is actually a much better task.”
Interesting. And I didn’t make it easy for him, either. “What’s your name?”
“Jon.”
We walked together to my quarters. I opened the door and invited Jon inside.
“No, thanks. You already have a guest.” He smiled and crossed the courtyard, settling next to a tree.
I closed and locked the door. Kade lounged on the couch. A bright fire crackled in the hearth. I warmed my hands before joining him.
“I’m a horrible sister,” I said. The flickering flames of the fire matched the pulse of regret in my chest.
“You had no choice.” Kade wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “No worries, though. I told Mara everything.”
I straightened. “You…But…The Council.” Sagging back, I closed my eyes.
“I didn’t promise to keep quiet. And I couldn’t stand to see her suffer. Guess I have a soft spot for sisters.” Grief touched his voice.
I glanced at him.
He gave me a lopsided smile. “Mara understands. Well…she’s a bit furious about not being in the loop. I don’t envy Leif tonight.” He tugged at his collar. “Is he as good with that machete as everyone claims?”
“I’m sure you can handle him with one of your microbursts.” I laughed just imagining Leif’s outraged expression.
“Unless he used a null shield,” Kade said.
The light mood evaporated. “How are your fighting skills?”
“Rusty. I should probably train with you tomorrow.” His gaze turned distant as he stared at the fire. “I wish I had known about null shields before my fight with Tricky and Sir. When they threw that net, it severed my connection with the atmosphere. The shock alone paralyzed me for an instant and the fight was over. I hadn’t realized how much that connection was an unconscious part of me—like breathing—until it was gone. Ever since I was a teen and made my first sand devils on the beach, I’ve been able to access the power source. With a null shield around me, I’m rather useless.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”
He focused on me. “Why not?”
“I’m sure you can be very useful.”
“How so?”
I leaned against him. “Keeping me warm, for one.”
After a demanding session in the training yard with Captain Marrok the next morning, Kade and I cleaned up and changed. Despite his claims of being rusty, Kade’s skills with a sword were good enough to counter the students and a few instructors.
We decided to eat lunch at the Citadel’s market. Kade needed to purchase supplies for our trip to The Cliffs and I wanted to stop by Alethea’s to inquire about my book order.
“Don’t forget to shop for new boots.” I pointed to his scuffed ones.
He glanced down in surprise. “I guess I do. And I’ll need to buy a sword.”
“Thinking of null shields?”
“Unfortunately.”