“GO AWAY,” I SAID TO DEVLEN, CLOSING THE DOOR.
He stuck his foot in the jamb. “Opal, I—”
“Get out.”
“But I—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” I knew he would lie.
“…to explain.”
“I’m done listening to you. Go. Now.” I kicked his foot.
He shoved his way into the room with his shoulder. I backed up. Tossing the towels onto a bed, he crossed his arms against his chest. “I’m not leaving until—”
Snick. I brandished my switchblade. He should have come armed.
“Leave or I’ll stab you,” I threatened.
His lips curved into a half smile. “No, you won’t.”
The old Opal wouldn’t. But not the new girl. Oh no, she was tired of being pushed around. I jabbed the blade toward his neck, aiming for his Adam’s apple. Even though I surprised him, he moved a hair faster than me, blocking the strike.
I stabbed again, he ducked. He blocked another thrust and a fourth, sidestepping away from me. My last strike forced him up against the wall and unable to dodge another attack.
“The doorknob is on your right. Use it,” I said.
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” I shoved my weapon toward his stomach.
He grabbed my wrist with both his hands. We struggled. Using all my strength, I leaned my body into it. I might have won if he didn’t cheat. His fingers pressed. Pain ringed my wrist and shot along my hand, numbing it. My switchblade clanged to the floor.
He gasped. “You really were trying to—”
“Yes.” I yanked my hand, but he clung to it.
“But what about preserving this body for Ulrick?”
“You’ll heal.” I pulled my arm. “Let go.”
“So you can grab your sais and try again?”
“Good idea.” My sais were hooked onto my saddlebags. I punched him in the solar plexus.
He hunched forward, grabbing my free arm. “Stop…it.” He gasped for breath.
I rammed my knee toward him, but he turned his body, so I missed my mark and hit his upper thigh. Twisting, I tried again, but he dug his fingers into my wrists. This time I collapsed to my knees as the pain raced up my arms and through my legs.
“Promise you’ll…stop,” he said.
Wave after wave of burning needles pricked my skin from the inside. How could two little spots cause so much agony? “I’ll stop…for now…I promise.”
He released his grip. I lay back onto the floor, panting.
He sat next to me. “I only came to warn you.”
“Then consider me warned.” I shooed him with a tired arm.
“Don’t you want to know why?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’d believe you anyway.”
He whistled. “You’re nasty.”
“Thank you.”
“Tama and Gressa aren’t doing you any favors by sponsoring you. They plan—”
“To use me to gain control of the supply of glass messengers. Once they have a monopoly of the messengers, they’ll use them as political bribes and other…illicit deeds. Did I get it right?”
Devlen squinted in confusion. “If you knew all this, then why are you here?”
“Everyone wants to gain control of the messengers. The Council, Tama and Gressa, and Vasko Cloud Mist. The Council will pretend I have a vote, and Vasko will mask my lack of power with money and rubies.” I paused. His offer still tempted me. “Tama and Gressa will just take what they want. They seem more…honest to me.”
“You’re insane. What happened to you?”
“You.”
“No. You were still optimistic the last time I saw you.”
I’d hardly call escaping an optimistic endeavor. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is you warned me. Now run along.”
He remained sitting. “Aren’t you curious about why I would risk my position on Councilor Moon’s staff to warn you?”
“No.” I struggled to my feet.
“Do you already know why?” He stood, too.
“You want to save me from them so you can force me to lead you to one of the glass prisons. I’ll release the Warper trapped inside and you can learn how to finish the Kirakawa ritual.”
“That’s not why. Although you don’t appear bothered by that scenario.”
I shrugged. “At least then the Council would believe a Warper still lives and others are using blood magic.”
“But people would die,” he said in shock.
I almost laughed out loud at how we had reversed roles. It was fun playing the heartless destroyer. “It would be the Council’s fault. In fact, the idea is growing on me.” I tapped a finger on my lips as if lost in thought. “If I release a Warper, I don’t really need you at all. Unless we use you as a sacrifice.” I studied him.
He backed up. “You really are insane.”
I pished. “I’m being smart. Think how powerful I would be if I teamed up with a Warper. We’d have my messengers, blood magic and, with my ability to siphon power, we’d have diamonds to fund our takeover. I could release the others and be unstoppable.”
Devlen’s shoulders dropped in chagrin as he realized what I’d been doing. “I should have known. You may have changed, but you’re not a ruthless killer.”
“I can learn to be ruthless.” I bent to retrieve my switchblade.
He grabbed my arm to stop me. This time I grasped his wrist with my free hand and clamped down on his pressure point. He fell to his knees.
“After all, you taught me well.”
I enjoyed the rest of the trip to Fulgor. Devlen avoided me, and I had a nice chat with Tama regarding my new job. She managed to mask most of her ire about the previous commitments I had negotiated for my messengers. Though she brightened at the prospect of being consulted before any other messengers were delivered. Being consulted was different than being in charge. I wondered how long it would take Gressa to resort to strong-arm methods.
Gressa graciously offered me rooms above her glass shop.
“They’re very nice. I used to live there, but since my appointment to Tama’s staff, I’m living in the Councilor’s Hall.” She introduced me to her glass workers.
A few remembered my “break-in” from before and frowned. Their scowls increased when Gressa announced I had priority on the equipment.
“Assist her when needed. Her work is very important,” she ordered.
The apartment on the second floor contained six rooms—two bedrooms, a kitchen, living area, office and washroom. Glass items decorated shelves and tables, and beautiful stained-glass murals hung on the walls. Tall windows brightened every room.
We opened the windows wide to let in fresh air. I felt the roar from the kilns vibrate the floor. The constant noise wouldn’t bother me. In fact, it reminded me of home.
When the workers finished carrying up my things, she asked, “What do you think?”
“It’s lovely. Did you design the murals?” The swoops and swirls of color mesmerized me. A pattern could only be discerned from a distance.
“Yes. There’s a glass cutter in town that has a light touch with the solder. See how delicate the lines are? It makes all the difference.”
As she prattled on about the inspiration for the designs, I marveled over her friendly act, considering the cold reception I had gotten the last time we met. I lost track of the conversation until she mentioned Ulrick’s name.
“…uses the kiln on occasion. Will it be a problem?” she asked.
“Not at all,” I said.
“I noticed you both…avoided each other during the trip.”
“It’s difficult for me to be near him,” I admitted. “With the whole undercover operation and his ability to completely fool me…” I cast about for an explanation that would please her. “I’m terribly embarrassed by my overreaction to his fake identity. I think it’s best we keep our distance. When he’s here, I’ll just make sure to stay upstairs until he’s done.”
“Good idea. Don’t feel too bad about being duped. It could happen to anyone.” She swept her hand as if brushing dirt away. Matter settled.
After she left, I unpacked a few of my clothes, then planned how I would gather information. Since Gressa let me use her rooms and factory, I doubted I would find any clues here, but not for lack of trying. I searched through her apartment, concentrating on her office. Nothing.