Sitting cross-legged, I cradled the orb in my lap. The glass sizzled with potential. It sang to me, vibrating deep in my soul. I concentrated on my heartbeat, mixing my blood with Galen’s. I couldn’t separate Galen’s magic from mine, but I could siphon it all.
Too bad Galen had stockpiled his blood. He would reclaim his powers and where would I be? Stuck here, but at least I wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone. Unless he used blood magic on me, tattooing the power into my skin like he had done for Devlen. Then I would crave more power and be at Galen’s mercy again. And my glass magic would be gone forever.
Right now, my powers were the strongest in the compound. I had the chance to use them to help as long as I found loopholes in Galen’s orders. It worked to warn Kade.
Of course it could all go wrong, and he would use me to take over Sitia. No. I wouldn’t let him. I had too many precious gems to care for. Reema and Teegan, protecting them and warning them against the dangers of magic. I hardly knew them, but I missed them more than I ever did my glass magic.
I realized dashing off to help others wasn’t a distraction from my purpose. It was my purpose. Between Valek’s training, my fortune in diamonds and with assistance from my friends, I could do it. I could be Opal without the descriptor. I could be an adoptive mother one day and go undercover to help Fisk with that rival gang the next. And I planned to follow up with Fisk; he shouldn’t have to deal with such problems on his own.
But Galen first. I didn’t know how I would stop him. I just would.
“What are you doing?” Galen demanded.
“Thinking.”
“About what?”
“Siphoning your magic.”
He cocked his head to the side as if curious. “You know that won’t work.”
“Wishful thinking. Is that better?”
Galen strode over and grabbed the orb. “In order to avoid a future hassle, do not siphon my magic and do not attack me.” Finding the pile of diamonds, he poured them back into the glass. “Come with me.”
We walked to Walsh’s office building. His assistant quickly announced us. Her resemblance to Quinn was obvious now. The desire to tell her to run away bubbled up my throat, but I bit my lip. Now was not the time nor the place.
Walsh’s pleasure at my enslavement soured on hearing about Heli’s escape. He rounded on Galen. “Opal was dating the Stormdancer leader. They could attack us with storms.”
A hollow thud echoed in my chest over Walsh’s use of the past tense.
“They won’t risk Opal’s life or the children who live here,” Galen said.
“I’m not worried about them, you idiot. My oyster beds could be destroyed.” Walsh’s icy voice cut through the sudden tension.
Their relationship could be falling apart. I wondered how I could drive the wedge in further.
“Who cares about your oysters? One black diamond equals two dozen pearls.”
“And if the storms disrupt the currents that bring those precious stones to our shore? What then?”
Galen brandished the orb and poured the clear diamonds onto Walsh’s desk. “We’ll recapture Heli. She isn’t far. Besides, if they try to attack us, they’ll have to be close to us. Opal is strong enough to drain their powers from a distance.”
His smug smile didn’t go over well with Walsh. “She didn’t siphon that young Stormdancer.”
Galen’s humor died. He rounded on me. “Whose magic did you siphon?” Damn. “Devlen’s.”
He laughed. “That’s an easy fix. Don’t worry, Walsh. It was her last act of defiance.”
I rubbed the back of my hand, reminding myself of his kiss. “How do you know Devlen?” I asked.
“We met when I funded the Daviian Clan’s attempt to take control of the Council. Revolts are costly and Vasko thought their cause worthy. I befriended a few Warpers. After that disaster, I kept in contact with a couple who escaped. I’ve hired him for a number of jobs over the years. But when I learned he was another one of your victims and he was in jail, I had to pay him a visit. Did you fall for his model prisoner act?”
“Yes.”
Galen tapped his chest. “My idea. When you saw him today, did it hurt? Did it feel like a slap in the face?”
“Yes.” At first glance, but I couldn’t mistake the pain in his eyes. But why hadn’t he mentioned Galen to me before?
He gloated. “Good.”
Walsh interrupted us. “What if the Stormdancer informs the Master Magicians? I didn’t want to attract attention.”
Galen downplayed his concerns. “She won’t. You keep forgetting, Walsh. Opal’s under my control. I could order her to go to the Citadel and drain both Masters dry right now.”
Walsh’s concern hadn’t softened with Galen’s reassurances. “Opal, come here.” He pushed back from his desk, but remained sitting.
“Go,” Galen said.
No choice. Walsh grabbed my wrist and tugged me closer. “Since you are part of my family now, we will have a celebration on the night of the full moon, five days hence. We do it for all our new members and for the children when they reach maturity. It’s a special night. We have a big bonfire and clambake, we tell stories and sing songs. Every clan member attends and everyone has a wonderful time.”
It was an odd speech and I braced for the bad news. He didn’t disappoint me.
“There is a little ceremony where you are inducted into the clan. First your old clan name is written on a piece of wood and we’ll burn it in the fire. It’s all very dramatic.” He smiled. “Then you marry me.”
“What?” I jerked back, but his grip was strong.
“Keep still and listen,” he ordered. “All the men of the clan pledge an oath of loyalty to me, and all the women vow to be my wife and we consummate the marriage following the ceremony.”
Horror welled. “You’ve slept with all the women?”
“At least once,” he said with pride. “Although, I must admit some I favor more than others.”
“But…before…when I visited there were families.”
“Of course. The woman can marry another as long as I approve. And it’s a source of pride for her husband when I choose his wife for a night of pleasure. He is pledged to me.”
Finally, the reality of my situation sank in and I cast about for a way out. “I’m experienced. And you don’t need my vow; I already have to obey.”
“Relax. Many of our members have come to us experienced. For those, there is a cleansing ritual before they are inducted to the clan.”
Galen’s sadistic smirk didn’t bode well for the ritual.
“Besides, you are in luck, my dear,” Walsh said. “You will stay with me every night until you are with child.”
Lucky would be the last descriptor I would apply.
After our meeting with Walsh, Galen proceeded to issue orders. “Never tell Walsh anything I say or do. Comply with all requests for the ritual, the ceremony and with the commands Walsh makes to you in his bedroom. For any other tasks he assigns you, you must clear them with me first.”
Fury simmered, but I concentrated on the wording of Galen’s orders, searching for loopholes.
When I woke on the morning of my wedding, a thick fog had settled over the compound. It gave me an idea and I searched the area for a good hiding spot. If Galen couldn’t find me, he couldn’t order me, cleanse me or marry me. A desperate plan, but I had no other options left. I had considered every angle, but couldn’t find a loophole.
I had tried running away two days ago. But since I had completed the binding with Galen, the tolerable distance between us had shortened considerably. When I reached the outer limit, the physical weakness and pain had been so intense, I couldn’t move. The guards had no trouble dragging me back.
Between the north and south beaches, the tip of the peninsula extended out like a finger. The surf had dug nooks and crannies into that outcropping. I found one above the waterline big enough to fit into and not be seen. It was a little damp as a few of the stronger waves sent sea spray into my spot.