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  stopped near a file cabinet. Opening the bottom drawer, she

  withdrew a small package.

  “Master Walsh told me to give this to you if anything hap-

  pened to him,” Penny whispered.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “No idea, but don’t let Galen know about it.”

  “I’ll

  try.”

  Penny put her hand on my shoulder, comforting me. “You

  can endure. I pretended I was lying with my boyfriend when

  Walsh ordered me to his bed.” Then she hurried to run her

  errand.

  Her concern touched me. I let the guilt over not recognizing

  the horrors going on here consume me for a moment before

  I used it to motivate me. I glanced at the office door. It was

  ajar, but Galen couldn’t see me. Unwrapping the package, I

  uncovered two syringes filled with blood and a note. I pock-

  eted the note and rewrapped the gifts from Walsh, returning

  them to the drawer. Hoping I would have a chance to read

  the letter later, I returned to my post.

  Penny soon arrived with Minister Heath and Nancee in

  tow. They smiled at Galen and inquired about Walsh.

  “We hope his illness isn’t serious,” the Minister said. “We’re

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  honored to be here. This is the first time he invited us to of-

  ficiate a wedding.”

  Nancee beamed at us. “You two must be a special

  couple.”

  “We are,” Galen said.

  The Minister f lourished papers for us to sign. Nancee

  brought them to Galen first, pointing out where to write his

  signature. She gestured me over, then handed me the pen.

  The air in the room clung to me like a thick syrup. My

  lungs strained to breathe. Nancee’s short fingernail marked the proper spot. Her nails had been cut short and lacked polish.

  For a well-dressed woman who had spent time arranging her

  hair in a neat style and putting on makeup, her hands didn’t

  match. Then I spotted the scar along her index finger. One

  of my worries f loated off my back, but it was immediately

  replaced with a different concern.

  “Sign it Opal Bloodrose,” Galen said.

  I scrawled the name under Galen’s.

  Nancee marked the papers and handed one set to Galen.

  “For your records. We’ll send the other to the Bloodgood

  capital, Vein Ravine.”

  As they made small talk, Galen drew power, seeking their

  deeper emotions. The ones they hid under the polite small

  talk.

  I moved between Galen and the couple. “It’s getting late.

  If you plan to be home before dark, you should go soon.”

  Galen kept his smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “They’re

  welcome to stay as long as they’d like. I was about to offer

  them some refreshments.”

  Heath thanked Galen. “Opal’s right. We should go.” He

  tsked. “The heating season’s foggy weather just won’t quit,

  putting a crimp in travel.”

  We did the polite goodbyes.

  “I’ll escort you out.” Then I said to Galen, “I’ll be back.

  Okay?”

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  Outmaneuvered, Galen’s grin strained as he agreed.

  The three of us kept silent until we were far enough away

  not to be overheard.

  “How did you know I was here?” I asked them. When they

  acted offended and confused, I cut in. “Valek did another ex-

  cellent job with your disguises, but you can’t fool me anymore.

  I saw Eve’s scar. The one I gave her the last time we did knife defense.”

  “Ah, hell,” Nic said. He pulled a silver coin from his pocket

  and gave it to his partner.

  “Always a pleasure taking your money,” Eve said.

  “We don’t have time for this,” I said.

  “We followed Devlen,” Nic said. “Along with that big

  Ixian.”

  Ari was here, too. I didn’t know if I should be glad or scared.

  “Leave now. Galen’s suspicious of you.”

  But Nic wouldn’t budge. He engulfed me in a hug, squeez-

  ing the breath from me. Then he rested his hands on my

  shoulders and peered at me in concern. “How are you holding

  up?”

  I stif led the desire to punch him. “Better now that I know

  I’m not legally married to Galen, but if I’m forced to reveal

  your identities and harm you then I’ll be sick. Go, so I don’t

  have to. Please.”

  “Okay, okay. Settle down. We’ll leave. Our job’s finished

  anyway,” Nic said. He hugged me again and Eve squeezed my

  hand.

  “Stay strong,” she said.

  I watched them cross to the stables, wishing Nic was a better

  liar. The big lug had no intention of leaving. I wanted to cry

  and cheer at the same time.

  Before I reached Galen’s office, I read the note from Walsh.

  He suspected Galen would attempt to take control of the

  family. Even in his warped mind, Walsh loved them and

  didn’t wish to see them subjected to Galen’s harsh leadership.

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  Explaining what was in those syringes, Walsh hoped I would

  aid his family. I tore the letter into small pieces and threw

  them in the trash.

  When I returned to the office, Galen didn’t wait to un-

  leash his anger over my little trick. “You are to remain silent unless I ask you a question or give you permission to speak.

  You’ve been taking advantage of my inattention to details. I’m

  going to rectify that right now.” He read from a list he had

  written.

  My loopholes disappeared with each command. All but two

  and I clung to them. They were all I had to keep me from

  giving up.

  He slammed the paper down on the desk. “I’ve been too

  nice to you. I don’t think you really understand how nice.”

  Galen stood. “Don’t move.”

  My mind yelled to run away, but my feet remained

  planted.

  He approached me and slid his hands under my shirt, fon-

  dling my breasts. I bit my tongue, hoping the pain would

  distract me.

  “I can feel you’re repulsed and afraid,” he said. “I order you

  to relax and enjoy my touch.”

  Heat spread across my body, igniting desire.

  “Better or worse?” he asked.

  “Worse.”

  “Now do you understand how nice I’ve been?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I think it’s time to consummate our nuptials. You

  will get pleasure from everything I do to you even if it hurts.

  Consider it a wedding gift.” He yanked my shirt off.

  I shivered in delight as he ran his hands over my back and

  again when he finished undressing me. A distant corner of

  my mind recognized the horror and humiliation, but I was

  powerless.

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  A knock sounded before Galen could do more. Thank fate!

  Irritated, he strode to the door and opened it a crack.

  “This better be important,” he said.

  Devlen’s voice replied, too low for me to discern his

  words.

  Galen glanced at me. “Get dressed.”


  More than happy to oblige, I pulled my clothes on in record

  time. Galen swung the door wide and returned to his desk.

  Devlen entered, leading a dozen guards.

  “Show Opal what you caught on your fishing trip,” Galen

  said.

  The guards parted, revealing two figures wrapped in null

  shield jackets.

  My legs refused to support my weight any longer. I dropped into a chair. This nightmare would never end.

  “Heli has returned and she brought a friend,” Galen said.

  “Is he your Stormdancer, Opal?”

  I met Kade’s gaze. “Yes.”

  “He came to rescue you. How sweet.” Galen rubbed his

  chin as if considering. “And despite Devlen’s assurances that

  the Bloodroses have meekly accepted me, I’ve been picking up

  an undercurrent of unrest from them. Which is concerning.

  Opal, has Devlen been lying to me?”

  “Yes.” The word burned my throat.

  “Is he planning on helping you?”

  “Yes.” I tried to catch Devlen’s eye, but he kept his atten-

  tion fixed on Galen.

  Galen said to him, “You were worried Opal would en-

  danger her own rescue so you kept her out of the loop. But

  all this time, you’ve been a wonderful source of information.

  Your blood magic isn’t strong enough to block me from your

  emotions.” He gestured to the guards. “You believe they are

  loyal to you, when in fact they are still mine. And I know all

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  about the fog. How many people have you sneaked into the

  compound?” He didn’t wait for Devlen to reply. “I counted

  six—the Minister and his wife, two disguised as guards and

  the Stormdancers.”

  The small bit of hope clinging to me kissed me goodbye.

  Listening to Galen gloat was like watching someone burn to

  death and not being able to throw water on the poor soul.

  Drawing power, Galen concentrated on Kade and Heli.

  “The jackets aren’t tied. They’re supposed to rip them off and

  cause problems when given the signal,” Galen explained to

  me. “Go ahead, Stormdancers, take them off.”

  Kade and Heli shrugged free of the jackets. They exchanged

  a look.

  “I’m more than capable of producing a null shield. Everyone

  was so worried about Opal’s power, you disregarded mine.”

  He tsked. “And is she really worth six lives? If she’s so devoted to her Stormdancer, then why did she sleep with Devlen?”

  Dead silence. No one said a word. Beyond horrified, I stared

  at the f loor.

  Finally, Galen ordered his guards to wrap up Kade and Heli

  in the jackets and to secure Devlen.

  As if on cue, Kade, Devlen and Heli fought the guards. But

  they were outnumbered, and Heli didn’t know how to defend

  herself. She was the first to be subdued and tied into a jacket, followed by Kade and then Devlen.

  “Announce a mandatory clan meeting to start in one hour,”

  Galen ordered his guards. “Escort the three of them to the

  dining room. I’ll join you there after I finish.”

  I returned my gaze to the rug until the rustling sounds of

  movement faded.

  Galen crouched in front of me. “Feel terrible?”

  “Of

  course.”

  “You’re going to feel worse after you kill your friends.”

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  401

  * * *

  Before we left, I used the washroom near Penny’s area and

  was alone for a few precious minutes. Opening the drawer, I

  took out the syringes Walsh had left me. I shoved them deep

  into my pocket as Galen stepped from his office.

  He grabbed my hand and we walked to the dining room.

  All the clan members sat around the tables. Armed guards

  ringed the large space and lined up along the front wall were

  Nic, Eve, Kade, Heli, Ari and Janco. My friends. My family.

  My reasons to stop Galen.

  Unfortunately having reasons gave me no power. I couldn’t

  meet anyone’s gaze.

  Their disguises had been ripped off and they were either

  manacled or wrapped in null shields. All had been secured to

  the wall. At least Valek wasn’t among them. I’d like to think he remained off-site to call in reinforcements. A valiant gesture, but they wouldn’t arrive in time.

  Galen stood with his back to the prisoners and made a

  speech to the Bloodroses. I scanned their faces. Quinn sat next to Penny, but his attention was on Galen. I opened my mind

  to them. Anger and resistance simmered, but worry and fear

  also churned. And if I dipped deeper… No. I wouldn’t invade

  their privacy.

  “…the outside world has forgotten you,” Galen said. “Do

  you think these people are here to help you? ” He swept an arm out, indicating the prisoners. “They came to rescue Opal.

  They’re professionals and powerful magicians and they failed.

  Now you can witness what I do to those who try to upset

  my plans.” He handed me my switchblade. “Kill Devlen,” he

  ordered.

  I triggered the weapon and the blade shot out. The Ixian

  battle symbols Devlen chose for me marked the steel. I ran

  my fingertip along the f lat side of the blade, feeling the ridges of the etchings. I offer my heart, entrust my soul and give my life to you.

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  “Now, Opal.”

  I turned toward Devlen, but stopped. He had given me his

  heart, soul and life. Therefore, in order to kill him, I would

  have to kill myself. Without hesitating I put the blade to my

  own throat, and pulled.

  “Stop!” Galen ordered.

  Too late! Warmth gushed down my neck, soaking into my

  shirt. I smiled until he ordered me to heal the wound. As I

  used magic to seal the skin, I realized the cut hadn’t been deep enough to finish the job anyway.

  “What the hell was that?” Galen asked.

  “Magic is very literal. Devlen had given me his life. I was following orders.”

  “I take it back,” Devlen called, trying to protect me.

  No! Unable to speak, I appealed to Devlen. He remained

  stubborn, but his eyes were wide as if he had been scared.

  “Opal,

  don’t—”

  Before Galen could finish, a puff sounded. A strange clear

  dart struck my bicep. I teetered and Galen caught me as I

  collapsed.

  “Heal yourself,” he said. “Push the drug from your arm.

  Now.”

  I envisioned a little butterf ly sucking the drug as if it were nectar. Liquid trickled down my arm. The Bloodroses didn’t

  wait to see if I was successful. They surged to their feet and

  chaos erupted as they attacked the guards.

  Galen yanked me down as he crouched low. “Protect us

  from objects.”

  I covered us with a glass barrier. Darts ricocheted off it and

  from within, I watched the fighting. Bloodroses wielded glass

  knives, glass darts and bamboo spears tipped with glass. The

  weapons might not be as strong as steel, but they were razor

  sharp and a slash across an unprotected neck did the job as well as a sword through the heart. I silently cheered them on.

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  403

 
; Quinn threw glass balls that seemed ineffective at first, but

  must have been charged with heat. They ignited clothing and

  tablecloths.

  “Idiots,” Galen said. He pulled me through the melee and

  we exited. “Secure the doors,” he ordered.

  They slammed shut, trapping everyone inside. I looked

  away as black smoke poured from the chimney. The f lames

  spread. Horrified, sick and disgusted weren’t strong enough

  to describe my torment. I huddled on the ground in misery.

  The black clouds overhead matched my mood until I realized

  they were thickening.

  An explosion rocked the ground as the roof of the dining

  room blew apart. Then rain teemed from the sky. The incred-

  ible deluge soaked me in an instant and I choked on water,

  but I didn’t care as the fire sputtered and died.

  “Damn Stormdancers,” Galen said.

  He would soon have another problem. I spotted Valek ap-

  proaching us. The clan members streamed from another hole

  in the dining room, but they kept their distance from us.

  “Can you sense the Stormdancers?” Galen asked me.

  “Yes.”

  Kade and Heli worked to free the others.

  “Stop them from helping the Bloodroses. Now.”

  I projected my magic. As slow as possible, I smoothed it

  over Heli and then Kade, erecting a null shield around them.

  The rain lessened into a drizzle and ceased. But by this time,

  Valek had arrived.

  Galen appraised the assassin with a critical eye. “Am I sup-

  posed to be scared of you?”

  “With my reputation, you should be terrified,” Valek

  said.

  “Because of your immunity? Didn’t Opal tell you about

  the null shields?”

  “She did.” He f lung a succession of darts at us.

  Galen easily batted them away. His magic was strong enough

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  for a few missiles. Then Valek withdrew glass balls from his

  pockets and lobbed them. They crashed around us, but the

  breeze carried the sleeping gas away. Valek stopped moving

  when Galen encased him in a null shield. Valek looked furious.

  But by then, Devlen, Ari and Janco had joined the Bloodroses

  outside, which, I suspected, had been Valek’s intent.

  Before Galen reacted, a battle cry rose. As one they rushed

  us, screaming loudly. Galen shouted my name, but the noise

  from their attack drowned out the rest of his words.

  Pushed and shoved, I was hustled along and up a slight dune