I created a mess when using my instincts. Logic failed to work, as well. My plan looked better and better. I only wished Kade held me for my final moments instead of Devlen. But at least I would be able to ask Devlen a few more questions.
I pulled away to meet his gaze. “How did you switch souls? Yelena said it was impossible.”
“A complete blood transfusion. Remember the device Tricky used on The Flats to siphon your blood?”
I nodded.
“My invention. Except I used a bigger and faster device to drain all the blood from Ulrick.”
“But he would have died.”
“Yes, except for magic. I told you I was a Story Weaver, but I also had a little healing magic. Enough to keep us alive while we exchanged blood.”
Like he had said, Blood magic with a twist. “You did the same for Akako and Tama.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I wish I had a more noble reason, but it was for money. I needed money and Akako paid me well.”
The door to the basement jerked open.
“What’s taking so long?” Len demanded. “The magician’s getting close.”
“Opal is weak. She almost passed out.” Devlen hauled me up the final step. “Help me with her.”
I pretended to swoon.
Len grabbed my arm. “Damn. Will she be able to—”
“Yes. She will be fine once she sits down.”
Our little parade ended at the gaffer’s bench. I “caught” my breath and took stock of my surroundings. Boar loomed on one side, and a couple of orbs rested on the floor next to the bench.
“Does anyone know how to gather?” I asked the men.
Devlen moved toward the kiln.
“No,” Boar said. “Tricky warned us not to give her molten glass.”
I huffed. “How are we going to convince Zitora I’m working for you if I don’t have a slug?”
“Here,” Len said, handing me an orb. “Pretend you’re inspecting the glass. Devlen, you’d better go.”
The orb throbbed under my hands, and I tried to sense Boar’s magic. Nothing. Odd. If he was protected by a null shield, Zitora would believe I was alone, which would blow the whole captured ruse. In fact, all she needed to do was read my thoughts and know everything.
Unless they had grafted null shields on the other walls. My head hurt. Too many possibilities. All that mattered was I held glass and I felt magic. I didn’t need to wait for Zitora. Break, cut and let my blood run.
I lifted the sphere, aiming for the edge of the metal rod holder on the bench. The crack rang louder than the kiln’s hum. A perfect piece with a sharp edge remained in my hand. I pushed it against my throat.
“Opal, stop!” Zitora stood at the door, pure fury radiating from her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Boar and Len moved closer to me. Their weapons were drawn.
“Run away,” I shouted. “It’s a trap.”
She entered the room, but kept her distance.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Now fury claimed me. “Of course you wouldn’t listen to me! Poor deluded Opal.” I gestured at her with my glass shard. “Who can’t be trusted. Go away. I can take care of all the problems I have caused right now.” I placed the shard on my throat. Yet I hesitated.
A cold wash of sudden knowledge drenched me. I realized Zitora had come. If she didn’t care for me, she wouldn’t be here. She trusted me with her life and that was considerably more important than a few secrets.
Taking control of my situation hadn’t caused the trouble. The real trouble started long ago because I had let others decide. Those small rebellions over the glass messengers were a child’s temper tantrum compared to how I should have reacted. I should have demanded to be involved from the beginning. Should have trusted myself. Devlen was right. I almost laughed.
Zitora sensed my emotions, yet she pretended otherwise. “What are you waiting for?” she asked. “Slit your throat and take the coward’s way out.” She stepped forward. “Or do you want me to do it for you?”
I understood. “You would enjoy that, wouldn’t you? Payback for not letting you know about my siphoning powers. I knew you were angry.”
“You’re right.” She closed the distance between us.
By this time, we were almost nose to nose.
“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything, but you didn’t have to shut me out!” I shouted.
“I was trying to protect you, but I realize now it was the wrong thing to do.”
“Too late.” I scooped up an empty orb. The glass pulsed under my fingertips.
“Feel better now?” she asked.
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Anytime.” She spun. Hooking her ankle behind Len’s calves, she yanked his feet out from under him. She backed toward the wall as Boar lunged for her.
The wall! I forgot! “Watch out for—”
Two puffs sounded as Zitora dived for the floor. The side door opened. Tricky, Ulrick and Devlen rushed in.
“I hit her on the arm,” Devlen said. “She’s not getting up.”
Ulrick rounded on Devlen. “You said she would cooperate.” He punched him in the stomach.
Devlen doubled over. Tricky pulled his sword and pointed the tip at him.
Confused, I wondered why Tricky hadn’t used his magic. Since no one paid any attention to me, I assessed the others through the orb’s glass. I felt no magic from Tricky or the other men. Again with the null shields…yet Zitora’s magic burned hot, which meant Devlen lied about hitting her.
“You can’t drain her now,” Ulrick said to me. “The Curare in her will block your magic.”
Devlen straightened and tugged his shirt down. Snap. I understood. The null shields had been woven into their clothing to protect them from Zitora’s magic just in case I refused to cooperate. If I ripped their shirts open, I wondered if the shield would break.
Len scrambled to his feet.
“Len and Boar, carry Zitora downstairs. Tricky—”
“Kill Devlen.” Tricky stepped forward as the other two bent over Zitora.
She gained her feet and yelled, “Now!” She tossed me a switchblade, then targeted Boar and Len.
I caught the weapon in midair, triggering the blade. Ulrick brandished his sword and Devlen dodged Tricky’s attack.
Ulrick advanced on me. A switchblade was no match against a sword.
“Put the knife down,” Ulrick ordered. “We’ll wait for the others to finish.”
“No.” I bolted for the line of pontil irons and blowpipes, grabbing an iron as I ducked his swing. I countered his next stroke with the iron. The harsh clang vibrated through my hands.
I managed to protect myself from his blade, but I knew my arms would soon tire from wielding the heavy rod. I glanced around. Zitora knocked Boar to the ground. Impressive. I didn’t know she could fight. An unmistakable thump meant Len joined his friend. Devlen and Tricky wrestled for the sword.
Countering a lunge, I spun to the side. Zitora rushed to help me.
“No. Help Devlen,” I said.
She shot me a confused look.
“Help Ulrick, then.” I backed away from another strike.
But the real Ulrick stopped trying to disarm me and pulled off his shirt. “Time for magic.”
Tricky shoved Devlen, letting him take the sword. He ripped his shirt off. Len and Boar stayed on the ground, but they yanked at their clothes. Tattoos covered all the men’s torsos. Magic saturated the air. Zitora’s magic cooled and disappeared as a null shield surrounded her.
The orb almost leaped from my hands, yet my blood in the men’s skin protected them. I couldn’t siphon their power.
Four magicians against one were terrible odds—even for a Master Magician.
25
THE CONFIDENCE FADED FROM ZITORA’S EXPRESSION AS HER LIPS parted in surprise. Another trick, I hoped.
Devlen pulled at his shirt. “A null shield has been woven into the fabric,” he explained.
“Clever. Did you know null shields could be manipulated like that, Opal?” she asked.
I squirmed a bit. “Yes. They attached one to a net to capture Kade.”