“I thought you wanted your magic back,” I said. My voice rasped. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat.
“At first, I did and I do miss the magic. But I do not miss the obsession. The craving for more power that dominates every thought and action. I would rather be without the addiction.”
“Why are you still working for Gressa?”
“To protect you.”
I laughed. Who was going to protect me from him?
Offended by my outburst, he said in his defense, “I did rescue you from the Councilor’s Hall.”
I sobered. “Are you here to rescue me again?”
His shoulders sagged. “I cannot. Ulrick and Tricky have too much power. They will detect us before we leave the building.” He sounded upset.
I bit my lip, hoping the pain would zap a measure of sense into me. Devlen was a master manipulator. He had a plan. It involved using me. I needed to remember that. “Whatever. Let’s get on with the torture, then.”
“No. I am not going to hurt you.”
“What?”
“I will not torture you.”
He was a master liar. This was a trick. He hadn’t put his clothes back on. Perhaps he thought I would be so relieved I would sleep with him.
“What game are you playing now?” I asked.
“No games.”
Yeah, right. “What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
Hard to believe. I thought about the implications if he failed to follow orders. “If Ulrick and Tricky find out, they’ll kill you. Or use you as a sacrifice.”
“Probably.”
“You don’t seem very upset.”
“I do not have any control over what they do, so why should I worry about it?” He pulled his pants back on and found his shirt.
“Maybe they won’t find out.” I snapped my mouth shut, clicking my teeth. Why had I spoken aloud? Because I was an idiot.
“What do you mean?”
I figured out his plan. It was official. I was an idiot. “You know exactly what I mean. You’re being lazy. You know I’ll give in after a few days, so you’re saving yourself time by playing this I-won’t-hurt-you card. I’m supposed to fall for it and be concerned you’ll be killed. Then I’ll offer to pretend to be tortured and give in so you aren’t hurt.” And why was I distressed? I had been planning to break anyway. At least this way I would avoid days of pain.
His eyebrows shot up in amazement. “You still do not trust me.”
“And you’re surprised?”
“I have not lied to you or done anything to hurt you since we left Ixia. I told you Ulrick agreed to switch bodies—you know that is true. I helped you escape Gressa, and I am trying to help you now.”
“What about at the Bluejay Inn? You used pressure on my wrists.”
“You were trying to kill me.”
True. Kade’s words sounded in my mind. When forced into a desperate situation, you will defend yourself with the weapons available to you. But I still didn’t trust him.
He huffed. “People can change, Opal. I am free of the blood magic and have chosen not to go back. You have changed, too. And not for the better.”
“That’s supposed to convince me?”
“Okay. Fine. If my death will prove I speak the truth, so be it.” He strode to the door and yanked it open. His boots pounded on the steps. Silence filled the room. My breath rasped through my nose, sounding loud.
Distant voices reached me, then the heavy tread of feet.
“Damn it, Devlen. You left her door open,” Ulrick said.
“Do not worry, she is chained.”
“We have thought that before and she managed to escape.”
The two men entered my room.
Ulrick scanned my body. “You haven’t even started! What’s going on?”
What indeed?
“I am not going to torture her.” He braced for Ulrick’s response.
Son of a bitch!
Ulrick stilled. “Why not?”
“I—”
“He doesn’t have to,” I said before Devlen could finish. “I’ve been thinking…”
“And?” Ulrick prompted.
I drew in a deep breath. My thoughts raced. “And, you’re both right. I’ll give in after a couple days so why waste my energy? Besides, I’m not going to hurt anyone.” I sounded as if I tried to convince myself, pretending to be a cowardly rat. Pretending?
Eyeing me with suspicion, Ulrick failed to appear convinced. “I figured you’d fight it for a while. Too easy.”
“He brought three clamps, Ulrick. Three points! Have you ever felt the pain of one point?”
“No.”
“Show him,” I said to Devlen. “Please.” I let panic fill my voice.
The men glanced at each other. Ulrick shrugged. “I’ve always been curious.” He held out his arm.
Devlen grabbed his wrist, pinching the joint. Ulrick dropped to his knees. Surprise and agony flashed on his face. Devlen held the point a moment longer, then let go.
“That was…impressive.” Ulrick touched his wrist and considered. “Why did you bring three?”
“I used two on her before and she lasted two days. I hoped three would speed up the process.”
Ulrick stood. “Two days…” He absently rubbed his arm, then turned to Devlen. “Are you sure she’ll cooperate?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We’ve gotten word Master Cowan is heading our way. We must prepare for her arrival.”
“Zitora? Why is she coming?” I asked.
“Another one of your surprises, but this time it worked for us.”
“My surprise?” Now I was confused.
“Your soldier friend from Fulgor. Janco told her about the factory before he came here to rescue you. She took off. Instead of reporting your disappearance to her commanding officer or to Councilor Moon, she sent a message to the Magician’s Keep. I’d wanted more time to get ready, but the situation is perfect. I’d rather pick off one Master at a time than be attacked by all three at once.”
They left. Once again, my thoughts plagued me. Zitora headed toward a trap, and I had leaped to Devlen’s aid. Either Devlen told the truth or I had been manipulated. At this point, it didn’t matter.
Time moved. I marked days by meals. Three meals equaled one day. Devlen visited, explaining Ulrick and Tricky’s plans for surprising Zitora. I ceased to care. She would be safe from me.
My muscles ached from standing. Blood ran down my arms from donating to Tricky’s protection. At least he stayed on task and his hands didn’t explore.
I had failed miserably. My goal to prove Devlen and Ulrick had switched souls would never be achieved. I did hope my efforts would save Zitora. Once she knew about Tricky and the blood magic, she would put a stop to it.
After six days of counting, Devlen arrived to escort me to the kilns. My legs cramped and I held on to his arm as we climbed the stairs.
“Ulrick, Tricky and I will be in the mixing room,” Devlen said. “They have grafted a null shield onto the wall so Zitora will not be able to sense them. But they have drilled holes and can blow a Curare-laced dart at her if they need to. Len and Boar are your guards. There are orbs nearby.”
“Where is Aubin?”
“He has been sent away in case they are not successful. The plan is for you to siphon her power as soon as she enters the kiln area.”
I stopped on the top step. “Why would she come in? Won’t she be suspicious?”
“Yes, she will be. She believes you have been caught by Tricky and Devlen.” He gave me a wry smile. “She is here to rescue you. They have staged leaving the building and going to town, presenting the perfect opportunity for Zitora.” He hesitated. “You are not going to drain her, are you?”
I refused to answer.
“They will shoot her with a dart. They are protected from her magic.” He wrapped me in an embrace. “Whatever you are planning, I will help you.”
At that moment, I believed him. Why not? I closed my eyes, soaking in his warmth and musky smell. “You managed to fool me again.”
“No. You are starting to trust yourself. I would not have been able to fool you as Ulrick if you trusted your instincts.”