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“I’m very familiar with that annoying aspect of your personality.” Sarcasm sharpened my tone. I sat up. “Sorry, this has all been...”
“Overwhelming.”
“Yes. Can you tell me if my magic returns?”
“No.” He held out a hand. “Your future story threads do not reveal the answer. Both futures are equally possible.”
That meant I’d have a fifty-percent chance of regaining my magic. Better than zero chance. The black despair that had stained my thoughts since I’d woken without magic receded a fraction.
“What should I do next?” I asked, not expecting an answer.
“You should return and finish what you started.”
Ah. “I can’t. They’ll die.”
“How do you know this?”
I searched my memories. A vague image of Ben accompanied the red-hot knowledge that my presence would result in death. “I just...know.”
“A powerful magician has altered your memories, planting this fear inside you.”
“Ben Moon or maybe Cilly and Loris Cloud Mist?” They might have the talent.
“I do not know.”
“Can you fix it?”
“No. You must learn to ignore this fear.”
Easier said than done. I huffed. “You know, the longer I spend with you, the less I miss Moon Man.”
“Thank you.”
Curiosity replaced my apprehension. “Why did you name him Moon Man?”
Midnight Son smiled, revealing big white teeth. “He was conceived during a full moon and born on the night of a full moon, so we named him Moon. Fitting, since the boy never liked to wear clothing. The Man came after his Story Weaver powers manifested. He thought Moon was not...impressive enough.” Midnight Son laughed.
I soaked in the sound of his laughter, closing my eyes and imagining Moon Man standing there scowling at his father for embarrassing him. Then again, Moon Man wouldn’t be embarrassed. He’d be scolding me for running away without thinking it through.
But what could I do without my magic?
“It is a shame that people without access to the power blanket are so helpless. It is a wonder they do not die at an early age.” Midnight Son tsked.
“Don’t start that mind-reading stuff.”
“I am sorry. You wish to wallow in self-pity. I will leave you to your brooding. But I will say this... You should not feel disconnected from your family and friends nor should you fear for their lives. Their story threads are woven with yours. Even without the strand of magic twisted around your story, the rest of your threads remain strong.”
“In other words, I’m not going to unravel.”
“Exactly.” He grinned and bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Soulfinder. If you need further assistance, you know how to find me. I will admit, chasing intruders away from a plant is not nearly as exciting as talking to you.”
“Glad I could provide some entertainment.”
Midnight Son flashed me another toothy smile and stepped into a shadow. He disappeared as he returned to the shadow world. I stared at his boot prints in the sand. His comments spun in my mind. Three main things snagged. Midnight Son had claimed I’d figure out how I lost my magic and he’d given me a fifty-percent chance of regaining my powers. Plus he’d called me Soulfinder, which could have been a slip of the tongue due to something he’d seen in my story threads.
I needed to keep trying to solve the puzzle. What options did I have left? Pazia Cloud Mist might have some answers. She lived in Ognap, which I guessed was northeast of here. Although I’d no real idea where in the Avibian Plains we were. My other choice was going south to the Illiais Jungle to visit my father. He might know about or have heard about a magic-blocking substance. I chewed on my lip, deciding.
Kiki nudged my arm, surprising me. Glancing at her saddle, she turned her blue-eyed gaze back to me.
“Ready to go?” I asked.
Another nudge.
“Okay.” Securing my cloak and shouldering my pack, I mounted Kiki. In that instant, I knew the right thing to do despite the terror clamping down on my guts. “Back to Fulgor please, Kiki.”
* * *
I wasn’t surprised by the extra security measures that had been installed around Opal’s glass factory. In fact, I approved despite the fact they wouldn’t be enough to protect Reema from a determined assassin. One of the many things I’d learned from Valek was that an assassin would sit and wait for days, weeks or even months to find the perfect time to kill.
Looping Kiki’s reins around a nearby post, I shouldered my pack and approached the entrance. I tried to ignore the certainty that watchers followed my every move, and the creepy crawly sensation of invisible gazes pressing on my back. The afternoon sunlight had done nothing to dispel the chill in the air, and now that the sun balanced on the horizon, the cold intensified. Or was it the icy glares the guards outside the factory turned on me?
While I waited outside, one man went to verify my claims. He returned with Devlen in tow.
“Have you found the plant?” he asked in a flat tone.
He was probably angry at me. I didn’t blame him. I tilted my head toward the guard hovering over me. “Can we talk inside?”
“Opal’s not here.”
“Opal’s not the one I’m worried about. How’s Reema?”
Ire flared in his gaze, but he gestured for me to follow him into the factory. Then he stopped. Workers buzzed around the kilns. The heat rolling off the four enveloped me. My numb fingers thawed.
“Reema is driving me crazy.” Devlen crossed his arms. He wore short sleeves and pants. “Being cooped up inside is not...ideal for her.”
Alarmed, I asked, “Is she upstairs alone?”
“No. Two more guards watch her. Are you going to tell me what happened that night?”
“Where’s Opal?”
“In the city, searching for Ben.”
“Have they found him?”
“No. You did not answer my question.”
“I’ve no idea what happened that night. They must have lured me away and changed my memories. All I know is if I remained in Fulgor, Reema would be assassinated and the rest of my friends and family would be killed, as well.” I held up a hand, stopping his questions. “Even though I think it’s just a planted threat, we have to send Reema away or I won’t be able to function. She’s not safe here.”
“She sleeps with us and we have four guards from Fulgor’s security forces here at all times.”
“Not enough. An assassin might be coming after her.”
Fear replaced his anger. “How do you know this?”
I met his gaze. “I don’t know, but we can’t take the chance that it’s one of my fake memories. If Ben thinks his...” I tapped a finger on my temple. “Plan didn’t work, he might go after her out of spite.”
He nodded. “All right. What do we do?”
“Get Reema. Tell her to pack a bag and don her warmest cloak. You’re going with her, so grab your travel kit.”
While he rushed off to collect Reema, I pulled my new purchases from my pack and set them aside. They had rested atop my cooking paraphernalia, flint, Esau’s field manual and other travel essentials that had all jumbled together. I also kept my valuables in my backpack and I’d tied my bedroll to the bottom.
The heat finally soaked into my bones. I removed my cloak and most of the hidden weapons inside the fabric.
Devlen returned with Reema. They both carried small rucksacks.
Reema raced over to me. “I knew you didn’t run away. I told them you were chasing the bad guys, but they didn’t believe me. Did you catch them?”
I smiled at her utter confidence in me. “Not yet. I need you to go on a secret mission with your dad. Do you think you can handle it?”
r /> Her cheeks blushed with excitement. “Yes!”
“Good. Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“Yes.”
“She’s only been on Quartz with Opal,” Devlen said.
She shot her father a withering look. He ignored her.
“Can you mount without help?” I asked her.
“Of course.”
“That’s all you need. Just hold on and Kiki will do the rest.”
“Kiki!” she squealed.
“Reema, this is very serious,” Devlen admonished.
She settled down, but pure impish delight danced in her gaze. Oh boy, this was going to be...interesting.
“Let’s go into Opal’s office. Bring your packs.” I hefted mine along with the new package.
Once inside the somewhat private space, I showed them the two wigs—one with straight black hair and the other with blond corkscrew curls.
I held up the black one. “Reema, you’re going to pretend to be me. If you wear this wig, my cloak, and pull the hood down low, no one should suspect anything. Kiki will take you northeast.”
“That’s all?” Disappointment laced her tone.
