Shattered Glass Read online

  “Do you know when the draft will start?” I ask.

  “No idea.”

  I jump to my feet. “Then we better hurry.”

  “Good luck and be careful.”

  “Thanks.” I dash out and find Nic and Eve.

  Nic takes one look at my face and says, “Damn, you’re good. When do we leave?”

  “Day after tomorrow. We’ll need to collect some…special supplies.”

  “Pack for covert ops?” Eve asks.

  “Yes, and you’re going to need Sandseed horses.”

  Nic whistles. “Finding Sandseed horses will be harder than finding the missing Master Magician.”

  “I’m aware, but it’ll save us days. I’ll ask Devlen if he knows of any for sale.”

  We create a list of provisions and I give Eve a handful of gold coins to purchase what we’ll need. “Meet me at the factory at first light.”

  They nod and I head home. The sun has set while I was inside, but the streets are still busy with people returning home from work. Fruit stands and bakery wagons line the walkways. My stomach grumbles at the scent of fresh bread and I increase my pace. I’ve lots to do.

  Halfway home, I notice a couple soldiers. Normally, that wouldn’t cause me any alarm, but after Captain Alden’s revelations, all my senses heighten. I spot others soon after. They’re good and, if I hadn’t been trained by Valek, I wouldn’t have given them any thought. After another block, it’s confirmed. They’re following me.

  Why? Everyone knows where I live. Unless they’re not really soldiers, but wearing disguises. Or they’re just keeping track of my whereabouts. Either way I keep my hands near my sais. The weapons are tucked in my belt and hidden by my cloak along with a few other nasties. Not that they’ll do much good against more than one or two swords. Still…

  I also stay in the main thoroughfares—nothing like witnesses to prevent an ambush. By the time I reach my factory, I’m twitching at every little noise. Instead of cutting down the side alley to enter through the back door, I head to the front entrance.

  Grabbing the key from my pocket, I’m about to unlock the door when a high-pitched squeal echoes behind me. I spin, yanking my switchblade from its hidden pouch as my heart lurches.

  Behind me sits a big black cat with a rat clenched between his jaws. The poor thing squeals again. The cat drops it at my feet with a wet splat. Lovely. The rat’s back is broken.

  “Good kitty,” I say to the rat assassin we nicknamed Valek. “But you need to finish the job.” I trigger my switchblade and put the rodent out of its misery with one quick cut. Then I toss the body in the alley. The action gives me an excuse to scan the street for lurkers. Sure enough, a couple soldiers have found positions to watch my door. As long as they keep their distance, I don’t mind…for now.

  Valek and a couple of his older kittens follow me into the factory. We let them in at night to capture the rodents who are attracted by the heat of the kilns. The other glass artists and assistants have gone home for the day. The fires are banked. Devlen and Reema must be upstairs in our apartment.

  I check the equipment and annealing ovens before ascending the stairs. Devlen is by the hearth, stirring a pot and Reema is at the table, scowling over a book. Taking a moment to absorb the domestic scene and commit it to memory, I gaze at my family. Alden’s disturbing orders plus the soldiers watching us makes me wish I could send them both to Booruby.

  Reema glances up and studies my expression. “Stop worrying.”

  Her ability to read my body language has grown since she’d returned from Ixia. And her unique magic is able to pierce Valek’s and my immunity, but it takes her double the effort. The rare times I’d sensed her power—which according to Valek was growing—it didn’t have that same heavy…stickiness I feel with other magicians. Hers is a light brush and I suspect she is learning how to mask it all together.

  “I don’t think there’s a mother alive who doesn’t worry.” I cross the room and peek out the back windows, checking if the soldiers have our factory surrounded.

  “Well, you don’t need to worry about those soldiers outside.”

  Alarmed, I join her at the table. “You’ve seen them? Why didn’t you tell us?”

  She shrugs. “They’re keeping an eye on us. More protective than predatory.” Reema grins. “I learned that word today. Predatory,” she says it with relish. Her eyes gleam.

  Devlen comes over. “Regardless of their intentions, you need to inform us when you notice things like that.”

  “Why?” she asks.

  “Because in our experience, protective can turn predatory quickly,” he explains. “And it always helps to be prepared.”

  “Plus,” I add, “What’s protective to one person, can be predatory to another.”

  She cocks her head. “Can you give me an example?”

  “Sure. When Master Magician Roze Featherstone colluded with the Fire Warper, she believed she was protecting Sitia from Ixia. When in fact, her actions endangered Sitia and she almost freed the Fire Warper, who would have killed thousands of people.”

  “But it’s not always that easy to tell. Right?” Reema asks. “Isn’t it hard to determine who is looking at it correctly and who isn’t?”

  “It can be,” Devlen agrees. “In that case, you need more information to help you decide. You see soldiers near our home and sense they are being protective, but we do not know who they are protecting. If it is us, then that is good for us. However, it means we need protection, which isn’t good. Why do we need this protection? And from who? If they are defending someone else, then we need to be careful until we learn why.”

  “Either way, you need more information,” Reema says.

  “Correct, which is why you tell us so we can investigate.”

  “And don’t try to figure it out on your own either,” I say. Before she can pout, I add, “Depending on the situation, you can aid us in collecting information.”

  She lights up at that comment, but Devlen flashes me a concerned glance. Later, after Reema goes to bed, he asks me why I told our eleven-year-old daughter that she could help us investigate.

  “If we don’t let her help, she’ll do it on her own. She’s caught the bug. I don’t want her not telling us when something isn’t right because she’ll be prevented from learning more.”

  “Good point.” He smiles. “The bug? Must be one of Janco’s expressions.”

  “Who else?”

  “No one. His view is unique.”

  “And annoying.”

  “That, too. But he is a skilled swordsman and Reema adores him.” His humor fades. “Do you know why soldiers are watching our home?”

  “I’ve a guess.” I tell him about the martial law. “My magic detectors would help the Commander in a battle against Sitia. His soldiers could use them to warn of a magical attack. The Sitian military suspects the Commander will send men to steal the detectors.”

  “Or to kidnap you.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m leaving.”

  “With Nic and Eve?”

  “Yes.”

  His shoulders relax. “When?”

  I fill him in on our plans. “But since spotting the soldiers, I’m going to make as many detectors as I can before the crew arrives in the morning. You’ll need to hide those once they’re cooled. I’ve a bad feeling they might be needed, and it would look suspicious if I don’t fill my regular orders tomorrow.”

  “I will fire up your favorite kiln.” He rises.

  “I also need you to find me two Sandseed horses.”

  “It would be easier for me to teach Reema patience,” he says.

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.”

  “Can you at least try?”

  He moves close and cups my cheek. “For you…anything.”

  The words are a promise. One he’s made many times since we’ve been together and one he’s never failed to live up to. I step into his embrace and kiss him, hoping to transmit the d
epth of my love with a single gesture.

  Eventually, we stop, and he hugs me tight. In a husky voice, he says, “Keep that up and you won’t get any work done tonight.”

  It is tempting. Very tempting. I sigh and step away. “There’s the incentive I need to get everything done by tomorrow night.”

  Devlen helps me in the factory, gathering glass onto my blowpipe, fetching tools and cracking off the finished pieces into the annealing oven. The detectors are a simple construction. I shape the glass into an object or flower or animal, depending on what calls to me, and then I blow my immunity into its heart, which is basically me blowing air through the hollow pipe—I’ve no idea how my immunity is transferred. Once the statue is cooled, it will flash when magic is used nearby. Helpful to those non-magicians who can’t sense magic. As far as we know, Valek and I are the only non-magicians who are immune to magic, but who can also feel when magic is in use.

  Before my workers arrive, we clean up all evidence of our nighttime activities. The two dozen detectors are in my private annealing oven, which slowly cools the glass over the course of a day. Otherwise, they would crack.

  The day begins like any normal day. Devlen takes Reema to school and I fill my orders in the morning.

  Devlen returns briefly. “I am assuming we do not want the soldiers to know about your upcoming trip.”

  “Yes. If you can lose them without being obvious about it before searching for the horses, that would be ideal.” They’ll find out eventually, but I don’t want them trying to stop me.

  “Then I will move Quartz and let Nic and Eve know where to meet you tomorrow morning.” He swoops in for a quick kiss and leaves.

  I finish my work and spend the afternoon shopping at the market. Clouds litter the sky. Since the warm season is in its infancy, the air is cold enough for a cloak. However, the faint scent of living green promises warmer days ahead. Keeping a weathered eye on my unwelcome soldier escorts, I ensure they don’t see the purchases for my trip. No sense tipping them off.

  When I return home, I assemble the supplies, my weapons, coins and necessities and fill my travel pack and saddle bags. Also included is the knapsack of herbal remedies, teas and salves Leif has given me along with an instruction sheet. Since I can’t be cured by a magical healer, I need to use mundane medicines. I eye my pile and hope our rendezvous location is close. I’ll be noticeable schlepping this stuff across town.

  Devlen drops Reema off after school, shakes his head at my unspoken question—no luck yet on finding Sandseed horses—and heads out again.

  Reema takes one look at my bags assembled in the living area and asks, “Where are you going?”

  I debate what I should tell her and decide to be honest, telling her about Zitora.

  “Can I come?”

  “No. You’re staying home with your father.”

  Her brow furrows as if she’s puzzling over a problem. “But you’re not going alone ‘cause that would be stupid.” It’s a statement, not a question. “Who’s going with you?”

  “Nic and Eve.”

  “Too obvious,” she says.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Anyone who knows you would figure they’d be your backup.”

  “They don’t know me.”

  “It’s still obvious they’re soldiers.”

  “To you. You’re very observant and smart.” Too smart for her own good.

  “And if they’ve trapped a Master Magician, they gotta be smart, too.”

  That caught me off guard. “Why do you think she’s trapped?”

  “’Cause she sent the letter to you instead of Master Magician Irys or Aunt Yelena. They’d get caught too, while you can’t be influenced by magic.”

  But I can be trapped by a null shield—a little-known fact. One I hope remains little known. I focus on Reema’s comment. She has a point. “What would you suggest?”

  “I’d bring my daughter with me. Just listen.” Reema holds up a hand. “No one considers kids a threat. We’re mostly ignored. You show up with me, no one is gonna think twice about it.”

  “Except to assume I’m an idiot.”

  “Which is good—they’ll under…er…something you.”

  “Underestimate?”

  She snaps her fingers. “That’s it. Janco said that’s a good strategy when fighting. You let them think you’re a moron.”

  Lovely.

  “And then when things get hot for you, I’m the surprise. And they’ll be all like, ‘She’s not a moron after all,’ but by then it’s too late and they’re all eating Quartz’s dust as we blow out of town with Master Zitora.”

  She has spent way too much time with Janco. “It could work provided you had the years of training required, and you’re not used as leverage against me. Do you know what leverage means?”

  “No.”

  “It means that they take you hostage and threaten to hurt or kill you if I don’t listen to them. Similar to what Owen did to your Aunt Yelena, except he just threatened you. But it was enough that you had to go to Ixia for your safety.”

  “Oh, okay.” She tosses her book bag onto the couch and plops next to it. “How long will you be gone?”

  I calculate. If Devlen finds Sandseed horses and if it takes a few days to locate Zitora, then… “At least forty days.”

  Her expression sours. “You know Nic and Eve can be used as a level against you, too.”

  “Leverage?”

  “Yeah, that.”

  “I know, but they’re both trained and have years of experience dealing with criminals, so the possibility of them getting caught is smaller.” Before she could launch into the well-worn argument about how she’d rather be training than in school, I change the subject and offer to cook her favorite meal for supper.

  Energized, she dashes downstairs to the cold storage for a jar of apple sauce while I mix the honey glaze for the ham I bought at the market.

  Devlen misses the meal and worry gnaws on my insides. What if the soldiers grab him? What if they force him to join the army and he can’t contact us? What would I do? Try to rescue him or go after Zitora? One horrible scenario after another piles up in my mind as the evening progresses.

  The only thing keeping me home is Reema. She is unconcerned, and while I didn’t wish to upset her, I finally ask her about him when I tuck her in for the night.

  “He’s coming,” she says.

  My pile of worries topples in the wave of relief.

  “He’s a couple blocks away.”

  Blocks? That’s new. “How do you know?”

  “I always know where he is.”

  “Since when?”

  She hesitates. “Promise you won’t get mad?”

  I brace for her revelation. “Promise.”

  “Since I started learning how to fight.”

  Ah, that’s why she thought I’d be upset. She knew I’m not happy about her lessons. “How does fighting affect your new ability?”

  “It requires a…focus on my opponent, and I used that focus on Dad.”

  “Focus as in magic?”

  “I guess. But once I do it, I don’t need to do it again.”

  “Have you done it to anyone else?”

  She nods. “Ari, Janco and Aunt Yelena.”

  “Can you tell where they are?”

  Another nod, but this one is hesitant. “Far to the east, past the Citadel. But they flicker.”

  “Like a flame?”

  “Not exactly…” She casts about for the right words. “Like the flame is blown out and then lit again. Sometimes they are…blown out for days and other times hours.”

  I mull over her description. “Maybe they’re protected by a null shield during those off times.”

  She straightens. “That’s it! Whew! I thought it’s because I didn’t care enough.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  A shrug. “That if I’m not caring about them, they’ll disappear. Like when my mother left me and Teegan and all I cared a
bout was eating and how long until she returned with food—not about her. And she never came back.”

  I scoop her into a hug. “It isn’t your fault she died.”

  “I know. It’s just I sometimes think that if I cared more about her, maybe she would have tried harder to come home.”

  I lean back to meet her gaze. “She tried with all her might. I am sure of it. Mothers and fathers will do anything and I mean anything to protect their children. We might get angry or frustrated or annoyed with them, but that would never ever stop us from doing everything in our power to keep you safe. Unfortunately, not everything is in our power, and bad things do happen. But that’s not your fault nor our fault. Sometimes glass shatters despite all efforts. Okay?”

  She nods. I set her on the bed and pull the blanket up to her chin. Devlen enters and I resist wrapping my arms around him. He gives Reema a kiss on the forehead and says good-night. I do the same and am about to extinguish the lantern on her night table when she grabs my hand.

  “Don’t be obvious, Mom.”

  Confused, I ask, “About what?”

  “The mission to rescue Zitora. Don’t do the obvious things. Be…a surprise.”

  Devlen is sitting at the kitchen table eating a late supper. He looks as tired as I feel.

  “No luck?” I ask, standing next to him.

  “I struck out at every stable in the area. No one has Sandseed horses.”

  I sense there’s more and wait.

  “Quartz, however, took no time to locate a pair of half-breeds.” He rubs his face with his hand. “I should have asked her right away.”

  “Asked?”

  “Sunfire was worn out after riding all over Fulgor. I asked Quartz if she’d let me saddle her and I mentioned the Sandseeds.” He shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe it. “She took off straight for Horseshoe Farm. Their owner did not know their bloodlines either.”

  “Will a half-breed be able to use the gust-of-wind gait in the Avibian Plains?”

  “From Quartz’s body language, I guess they can.”

  “Better a chance than none.”

  He agreed. “I left them there, but brought Quartz to Back Alley Stables a few blocks away.” Devlen gestures to my bags. “I figured you would not wish to go far.”