Sea Glass

21

“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.

Her office downstairs would be harder to access. The factory employed three shifts of workers, so the four kilns were in constant use. Perhaps I could try during a shift change.

The afternoon sun’s warming rays combined with the heat from the kilns, turning the apartment into an oven. I left for the market, wondering why she hadn’t insulated the ceiling below her quarters.

Before heading toward the market, I walked by the Councilor’s Hall. At this time of day people scurried up and down the entrance’s grand marble stairway. The Councilor’s suite and a number of apartments for her aides resided inside. I guessed the building also contained break rooms for the guards.

Fulgor’s security headquarters was located across the street. From personal experience, I knew a small jail filled the basement. Circling both structures, I noted the number of entrances and windows on the lower levels. A training yard and stable had been built behind the security building. Guards practiced with swords. I leaned against the wooden fence, watching them train.

Eventually one of the men ambled over to me. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. Would I be allowed to train with you?”

He studied me. “That depends on who you are and why.”

“I’m Opal Cowan, a glass magician.” No reason to lie. “I just graduated from the Magician’s Keep and would like to keep my skills sharp in case I’m needed to go on a mission for the Masters.” I could name-drop with the best of them. Janco would be proud.

“Don’t see why not, but I have to check with my supervisor. Wait here.” He hailed another man and they talked.

I counted twenty men and four women in the yard. There would be more guards inside and more out on patrol.

The man returned. “Captain said it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you bring your own weapons.”

“Great. When do you train?”

“We have a two-hour session at dawn and another one in the late afternoon.” He gestured to the men. “If anyone gives you a hard time, just tell them Captain Alden gave you permission.”

“Thanks.” I stayed by the fence until they finished the session. By this time, the sun dipped behind the white dome of the Councilor’s Hall. Finding a hidden vantage point, I spied on the Hall. The evidence I needed would be in either Tama’s or Gressa’s office. And the best time for me to search them would be at night while everyone slept.

It was full dark by the time I finished my stakeout. The market had closed with the sunset. I walked to Gressa’s factory. The apartment’s empty rooms echoed with loneliness, driving the fact that I was on my own to heart.

No support from the Keep. No support from the Council. No Kade. Sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned all night, sweating in the heat.

In the morning, I dressed and joined the factory workers. Though annoyed and grumbling, they vacated a gaffer’s bench and assigned me a reluctant assistant. The unhappy boy looked as if he’d just graduated high school, but he handled the pontil iron with confidence.

“Do you need a special mix?” he asked me.

“Not really. What’s in the kilns now?”

“Cobalt, Crystal Fire, Industry Clear and Milk.” He pointed to each kiln in turn.

Most mass-producing factories used Industry Clear to make plates, drinking glasses and bowls. “What’s Crystal Fire?”

“Miss Gressa’s special blend for her fancy bowls.”

“Is it clear?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll take a three-inch slug of Crystal Fire.”

He moved away with an iron.

“Uh…Boy,” I called.

He turned. “My name’s Lee.” His voice sounded resigned as if giving me his name was a commitment.

“Lee, gather it on a blowpipe. Please.”

“Right.” He switched rods and returned with a proper-size glob. The molten glass pulsed with a bright orange glow, beckoning me to play with it.

When I blew magic into the glass, Lee asked, “Do you need me to thumb a bubble for you? Some glassmakers have trouble with it. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“No, thanks. It’s part of my…routine.”

“Oh.”

I finished the robin and put in a jack line to crack it off the pipe. Lee took the pipe over to the annealing ovens. Opening a door, he tapped the pipe. The robin fell onto a shelf in the oven. He closed the door with his hip. I marked the date and time on the oven’s slate so the others would know when this oven had started the cooling process.

“You don’t have to label it, that oven is just for your use. Are you going to make more?” Lee asked.

“At least a dozen today.”

“Let me know when you’re done. We’re supposed to lock the oven’s door so no one can steal your animals.”

Practical, but still an interesting requirement. I returned to the bench and we began again. After a full day, I crafted fourteen messengers. While Lee cleaned up, I returned to the apartment to change. I hurried through the streets of Fulgor to join the guards for their afternoon training session.

My arrival caused appraising glances and a few welcoming nods, but no one questioned why I was there. I warmed up and practiced defensive moves with my sais. A female guard asked me about my weapon. She held a wooden practice sword, so I invited her to spar with me to observe how the sais blocked and countered.

“They’re nonlethal,” she said in surprise.

“If you hit the skull hard enough, you could cause death. Or if you poke deep enough into the eye, it would reach the brain.”

“No. I meant if I arrested someone, and they resisted, I could use these instead of a sword to subdue them.”

“True, but you could use a billy club, too.”

“But a billy club won’t disarm a criminal if they have a sword. I can only carry a certain amount of weight—I have to make the most out of the weapons I have,” she said.

We discussed various strategies. I taught her a few defensive moves with my sais and she showed me a couple new self-defense techniques.

“Hey, I know you,” a male voice called out.

I glanced up and up. An oversize guard loomed over me. I recognized him as the bully from the jail. Nic.

He squinted with suspicion. “You were with that Ixian who escaped. And I believe you caused trouble in the Councilor’s Hall.”

Everyone in the training yard stopped and focused their attention on us.

I thought fast. “You’re right. Sorry about that. We were undercover for First Magician and we couldn’t tell you.”

“Undercover?” His voice lacked conviction. Hostility emanated from the guards as the tension increased.

“Go ask Councilor Moon if you don’t believe me. I’m here at her invitation.” I met his gaze without fear. My courage amazed me. I liked this new Opal.

“What’s the trouble?” another man asked. He walked through the yard. The guards parted for him. His captain’s insignia glinted in the sunlight—Captain Alden.

Nic explained his concerns.

“Ah, yes. The Councilor has advised me about our new glass magician.” The Captain’s pleasant attitude rippled through the surrounding guards, dispelling the tension. “She is welcome here. Please continue your exercises.”

He stayed next to me as the guards drifted back to their groups. Soon grunts, clangs and curses filled the air.

When Nic moved to leave, Alden gestured to him. “You’ll need to hear this. You, too, Eve,” he said to the woman who had been practicing with me. “Councilor Moon has asked us to keep an eye on Opal.”

Again suspicion creased Nic’s face.

“She’s been the target of an assassination attempt, and the Councilor requested we guard her so any future attempts will be unsuccessful,” Captain Alden said.

“There is no need for her concern,” I said. “It’s been over a season and I haven’t been attacked again.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Alden turned to Nic. “I’m assigning her to your team. Draw up a shift schedule, I want her guarded at all times, starting now.”

I must have had a panicked look on my face, because he placed his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. Nic’s team is one of our best.”

“I trust your abilities,” I said. “I’m worried about my privacy.” And about my illicit nighttime plans.

“No need. After our guard ensures no one is hiding in your rooms, he or she will leave, taking a position outside.” Alden nodded with satisfaction before returning to the station.

“Don’t glare at me,” I said to Nic. “I’ve been doing fine on my own. I didn’t ask Councilor Moon for this.” I gave her extra points for intelligence. She now had an excellent reason to keep track of me.

“Considering all the odd orders Moon’s been assigning us, at least this is what we’re supposed to be doing,” Eve said.

Nic’s face relaxed as he conceded. “Sorry.” He jabbed a finger toward the ground. “Stay here until I set up a schedule. Eve, do you want day or night shift?”

“Do you frequent the taverns at night?” Eve asked me.

“No. I’m a morning person.”

“Day shift,” she said to Nic.

He strode away. I met Eve’s gaze.

“I don’t like the night shift unless there’s some excitement,” she explained.

“You won’t get much more action during the day.”

“I can always hope.” She laughed. “I think I should demonstrate a few more self-defense moves for you. Just in case.”

My life lapsed into a routine. Creating messengers in the morning, training with the guards in the afternoon and walking around Fulgor in the evenings. My “protectors” wore civilian clothes. After a few days, I met them all and noted their habits. I started a friendship with Eve, hoping to obtain information from her.

One afternoon about a week into my routine, I asked Eve, “You mentioned odd requests from the Councilor before. What did you mean?” We had been sparring and had stopped to catch our breath.

“She’s been…overly cautious since Akako’s campaign against her was exposed. A lot of her requests are probably due to worry about being usurped. She dismissed her entire staff, and hired all new security officers after her sister was…”

“Caught?”

She looked uneasy.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”

“Akako wasn’t apprehended by us. In fact, the Councilor exiled her. We haven’t seen her since.”

“Exiled where?” I asked.

“No idea. All the Councilor would tell us was Akako was in a secured location and won’t be bothering anyone. We think Councilor Moon is keeping her whereabouts a secret so no one can try to rescue Akako.”

“That fits with being cautious. After all, Akako had supporters. I’m sure a few of them escaped.”

Eve gave me another queasy grimace. “That’s the other odd thing. None of Akako’s supporters were arrested.”

“But…That doesn’t fit. Where did they go?”

“Captain Alden believes Councilor Moon’s new security staff handled the cleanup.”

“Cleanup—as in execution?”

“Yes.”

“Remind me not to get on Councilor Moon’s bad side.”

“It set the whole force on edge,” Eve said.

“I noticed the tension before, when I…stopped by on my way to Ognap. Even the townspeople seemed apprehensive.”

“Except for the Councilor, it’s a whole new administration, with new protocols and requirements. Plus, they’re very suspicious. When a local baker wanted to purchase a larger building, they questioned him for hours before granting him permission. Then they supervised the renovations. That caused quite a bit of anxiety.”

“They aren’t as worried now,” I said.

“People adapted. And we’re hoping the new staff will relax with time.”

Gressa supervised the first shipment of glass messengers to the Citadel. She had kept track of each piece throughout the week. Another month’s worth of messengers would finish the debt.

I sat in Councilor Moon’s office with Gressa and the accountant. The man held a thick wad of parchment.

“I’m already getting orders,” the man said. “The Council doesn’t need all the glass messengers at once. We can send a monthly payment until Opal’s debt is paid.”

“No. I want to pay them back before we start selling them to others,” I said.

“What about these orders?” He shook the wad.

“Here,” I said. “I’ll take them.”

He glanced at Tama in alarm.

“Don’t waste your time with paperwork, Opal,” Tama said. “You’re the talent. Let Fenton deal with the hassle of shipping details and time schedules.”

Ah. The first reasonable request. If I balked, she would be suspicious, and giving in too fast would also be viewed with wariness. “I’d like to approve who receives the messengers. We don’t want them getting into the wrong hands.”

“I assure you that won’t happen,” Gressa said. “There are a limited number of people who can afford them and who have a magician on staff. The Council won’t let their relay-station magicians moonlight. I’m sure once the word is out, graduating magicians won’t apply for government positions and will seek employment in the private sector.” Her tight smile failed to reach her eyes. “Opal would be considered a trendsetter.”

“I’d still like to see the list,” I said.

“Fine,” Tama said. “When you’re done with the Council’s order, Fenton will go over the list with you.”

Dismissed, Fenton and I left. He hurried away as soon as we crossed the outer door. I used the opportunity of unescorted freedom to explore the Councilor’s Hall. Eve had been banned from accompanying me into the Hall. Security insisted I would be safe within these walls. By her expression, I had known the slight was another one of those odd developments.

The vast lobby occupied the ground level under the dome, which hung ten stories above. Next to this open area was the core of the building. A grand staircase connected all the floors. The landings on each level had a magnificent view of the lobby.

A large kitchen and a variety of utility rooms filled the rest of the ground floor. I remembered the kitchen door Devlen and I had escaped through. It led to an empty alley and would be perfect for nighttime use.

Tama’s and Gressa’s well-guarded offices spanned the entire first floor. I had seen the third-floor offices when Yelena and Master Jewelrose had been assigned to protect Councilor Moon. My explorations therefore started with the second floor.

As I wove my way up to the tenth level, I found nothing but offices, conference rooms, washrooms and a few “guest” rooms like the one I had been locked in. Workers scurried and labored at desks. No one paid me any real attention until I reached the top floor.

Two guards stood on the landing, protecting Tama’s and Gressa’s suites. They broadcast their displeasure. I apologized, asked for directions and returned to the ground floor. When I left the Hall, security checked my name off a list, which meant I couldn’t hide in the building until everyone left for the night.

Eve joined me as I walked toward the glass factory.

“I was beginning to worry,” she said.

“Why?” I asked.

“There have been a few…people who have gone in and have never come out.”

“Do they have holding cells?” My explorations hadn’t been as thorough as I’d wanted.

“Not really, but there is a tunnel underground. It’s supposed to be used by the Councilor and her staff to escape during emergencies.”

“Do you know where it goes?” It could be useful.

“No one except the Councilor and Captain Alden should know where it starts and ends. It’s to keep the staff from fleeing without her.” She shrugged. “But if the Councilor wants to break her own rule and tell her aides, then so be it.”

I considered. “All the Councilor Halls in Sitia should have tunnels, including the Citadel’s.”

“They do.” Eve put her hand on my arm, slowing me down. “This information isn’t well known, Opal. I’m telling you because…” She touched her sword’s handle. “Because I have a feeling you might need to use it.”

A twirl of fear spun up my back. “Have you heard or seen something I missed?”

She hesitated for a moment. “No. Call it soldier’s intuition. This whole situation—” Eve gestured to me and the surrounding buildings “—reeks. And Nic agrees. But don’t worry, we have your back.”

I wished I believed her.

I practiced in stages. The first night, I climbed out the window and scaled down the wall to the ground, then returned to my room without alerting the guard outside the apartment. For the second night, I crept around the dark town, staying in shadows and avoiding the three soldiers patrolling the streets. I repeated ghosting on the third night, but I tripped climbing into my room and landed with a loud thump.

Yanking the blanket from my bed, I wrapped it around my black clothes. I pulled my hair tie out and mussed my hair.

The door flew open. Nic rushed in with his sword drawn. “Hold it right there!”

“It’s me,” I said. “Sorry, I knocked the table over.”

He sheathed his sword. “I should look around just in case.”

I followed him as he checked each room. Moonlight shone through the windows. Unless clouds blocked the sky, I would have to suspend my nocturnal activities for a few nights until the full moon passed.

“You came in quick,” I said. “How did you unlock the door so fast?”

Teeth flashed. “Once you go to bed, I unlock the door. No sense wasting time if you’re attacked.”

It made sense. “Why do you wait until I go to bed? Why not just ask me to leave it open?”

“A locked door gives you a sense of security—helps you sleep. Besides, I’ve seen you fight. If someone ambushed you while you’re awake, you’d do fine until I could get in.”

His compliment about my fighting skills offset his assumption that I felt secure with a locked door. I’ve spent enough time with Janco to know better. A pang of loneliness touched my chest. He would love all my nighttime excursions.

Nic returned to his post. I left the door unlocked, changed into my nightclothes and slid into bed. My whirling thoughts kept sleep at bay. A partner would help. The only other person I trusted was Kade.

His reply to my letter had been carefully worded, but his unhappiness and concern over my decision had been clear. He offered to join me in Fulgor, but I responded with an optimistic assurance that I would visit him before the storm season began.

When the moon waned, I continued my practice sessions. Each night I added a few more steps until I managed to break into the Councilor’s Hall. Fisk’s lock picks and Captain Marrok’s patient instructions paid off as I crept through the kitchen door. With the utmost care, I ascended the stairway and peeked down the hall to the Councilor’s office. Sure enough, a guard stood by her office door.

Hiding under the stairs, I waited. Eventually, another guard crossed the lobby and marched up the steps, relieving the one by the door. I counted footsteps as he climbed to the top level. The thud of boots on stairs grew louder as someone came down. This guard checked the kitchen door. I almost fainted in panic until I remembered I had relocked the door.

He looped around the lobby before joining another next to the main entrance. At least four guards were on duty at night. There could be more assigned to watch Tama’s and Gressa’s suites, but as long as only one remained next to their offices, I should be able to handle him. Should being the key word.

The next three nights, I repeated my nighttime observations, tracking the patterns of the guards. My practice excursions had spanned a total of twelve nights. I had lived in Fulgor for twenty days already—half the hot season. I decided not to waste any more time. The night of the new moon would be ideal to put my plans into action.

As I expected, the moonless night covered the streets with a thick darkness. Loading my pack with my blowgun, darts and various supplies, I headed to the Councilor’s Hall. Once inside, I dipped the darts into a sleeping potion and attached them to a holder strapped around my upper arm. I smiled, thinking of Fisk. He had suggested I buy all the extras.

Swinging my pack over my shoulders, I waited for the guard change. A few minutes after the rotation finished, I crept up the steps. The lobby’s shadows concealed me from the two men by the main doors.

Crouched on the top step, I reached into my pocket, grasping the glass rat inside. Keeping the bag’s opening tight around my arm, I crushed it. A muffled huff sounded. I froze, waiting for an alarm. A cold wet nose pressed against my hand and fur brushed my fingers. I bit my tongue to keep from yelling.

When nothing happened, I pulled the rat out and placed him on the floor.

Run around the man’s feet twice, then return to me, I instructed in my mind. He scurried to obey.

The guard recoiled, cursed and drew his sword, following the creature. When he came within range of my blowpipe, I shot him with a dart.

“What the…?” He sagged to his knees and collapsed on the floor.

Again I waited as long as possible. Did the guard’s cry reach his colleague? The sound of my heart dominated all my other senses. With no time to waste, I hurried down the hall, popped the lock to Tama’s office and slipped inside. I lit a candle and searched her desk, file cabinets and piles of folders, looking for anything unusual. Scanning budget reports, security reports and inventories, I found no evidence of Tama’s plans.

I abandoned her office and relocked the door. Crossing to Gressa’s door, I paused to listen for footsteps. Thirty minutes remained until the guard change and I planned to be gone in twenty.

Gressa’s office contained the same dull accounting of money and resources. I found the stack of messenger orders. She had gone through them and marked approved or denied. I imagined she stamped the denials with vicious glee, but I wondered if the rejected orders would be presented to me, as well.

With time almost up, I pulled a file of receipts from her desk drawer. Flipping through invoices for glass supplies, sand and equipment, I scanned typical bills for running a glass factory. Except the quantity seemed rather large for four kilns. Perhaps she stockpiled the material at a different location in town or built another glass shop. I searched the sand invoice for an address. The delivery location was in Hubal. I memorized the street name and number before stuffing the file back into the drawer.

I straightened the piles and fixed her chair before leaving. Slipping down the stairs, I reached the kitchen without being seen. But on the other side of the swinging door, I startled a guard.

“Hey!” he yelled, reaching for his sword.

So much for my clean getaway. I ducked my head and rushed him, ramming my shoulder into his solar plexus. He stumbled back with a whoosh. I kept moving forward, but he tackled me to the ground. With his arms around my waist, he leaned all his weight on my back and legs. His gasps to regain his breath sounded in my ear.

My arms were free, but I couldn’t pull away. Pinned, I halted for a heartbeat in panic until I remembered my darts. He called for help as I reached and tore one off, then blindly jabbed. Once asleep, he relaxed. I wiggled out from under him just as the door crashed open. Two guards paused to assess the situation. I didn’t wait. Bolting through the door, I raced out into the night.

Yells and the sound of pounding boots followed me. After a quick glance behind me, I increased my pace. The guards chased me through the streets of Fulgor.

After a nerve-racking flight, I managed to lose them among the empty market stands. I returned to the factory and climbed the drainpipe to my rooms, shaking from the adventure. That was too close. If I had been caught, the consequences would have been…horrible.

And for what? Nothing. Another dire thought shot through me. What if the guards recognized me? Should I run away now? I prowled around the room, trying to decide. And I still needed to search Gressa’s and Tama’s apartments, which would be impossible since the guards would no doubt be on alert.

I plopped onto the bed and reviewed the evening’s events. It was time to admit I needed help. Two people came to mind.

Kade. He was handy in a fight, but had no experience in sneaking around. Besides, he’d promised his parents he would visit for the season. I decided not to bother him.

Janco would have loved the chase through Fulgor’s streets and would drool with happiness at the challenge of getting into the Councilor’s residence. He had offered to help if needed. I decided to send Janco a message in the morning.

When my heart slowed to normal and the buzz of anxiety drained from my mind, I dressed for bed. Before drifting off to sleep, I realized the break-in hadn’t been a complete waste of time. The address in Hubal where the extra glass supplies were delivered could be informative.