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“You’re early,” Raiden said when she stepped back.
“I missed your cooking.”
He huffed. “What happened to, ‘If I eat another fish, I’m gonna grow scales’?”
She waved her hand. “That was last year, when all the meat spoiled. You gotta admit that even you were sick of seafood after eating it for thirty days straight.”
“That’s a lot of clams,” Teegan said as he pried open another one and scooped out the insides.
Heli moved closer and inspected his pile of shells. “You’re already a pro. What else have you been doing?”
“We’ve been practicing our magic, learning our limits and abilities, getting ready for the big battle.” Teegan kept his tone casual, but she spotted the tension in his shoulders.
While only fourteen years old, he was well on his way to becoming a master-level magician, though he didn’t have as much experience wielding magic yet. When they’d rescued Valek and Yelena, Teegan had kept her safe from the enemies’ bolts and arrows that whizzed through the air, since she had to be close to the action to see where to focus the calm.
“Do you have any news?” Teegan asked.
“Not much.”
“Anything about my parents or family?”
“No, sorry.”
He wilted. It had to be hard not knowing what was going on. She squeezed his shoulder before helping him with the rest of the clams.
Soon everyone except Helen had assembled for supper. According to Raiden, she was at a critical point in the orb-making process. Zethan and Zohav had dried off and changed into plain gray tunics and pants. Their black hair dripped water. There was no doubt the two were siblings, and their resemblance to Valek, their older brother, was uncanny. Both had sapphire-blue eyes and angular faces, but Zethan smiled more, so he didn’t appear as...intense as his sister.
Zethan gave her a friendly hello, while Zohav’s expression darkened with worry. Once everyone settled around the fire with a bowl of chowder in hand, Kade asked Heli to repeat her message from Fisk.
“That’s it?” Teegan asked her. “No reason why we need to move?”
“For your safety.”
“We’re safe here,” Zethan said. “I’m not leaving unless they need us to help.”
“The only scenario that makes sense is that the Cartel is aware of your location,” Kade said.
“So what? I’d like to see them try to attack us,” Zethan said with enough enthusiasm to merit a scowl from his twin.
“I can go to the Citadel and gather more information,” Teegan said.
“And walk into an ambush?” Zohav asked. “If they know we’re here, then they’ll be watching for the perfect opportunity.”
“It’s not like I’m defenseless,” Teegan said, stabbing his spoon into the chowder. White drops splattered onto his tunic.
“Where else would we go?” Zohav asked.
No answer.
“I’m not leaving,” Zethan said again. “I’m learning so much about my magic here with Kade, and the storm season—”
“—is our concern,” Kade said. “The three of you are vital to Valek’s plans to stop the Cartel. They might not be able to get to you here, but like Zohav said, they can wait until you’re called to the fight and ambush you up on The Flats.”
“But we have magic,” Zethan said.
“And they have Curare and null shields,” Kade countered.
Now it was Zethan’s turn to frown. “But I can guide the storms here.”
Kade grinned. “You’ve brought so many already, Zee. We’ve reached our quota, and the season hasn’t even started yet.”
Heli glanced at Kade in surprise. “You shouldn’t be dancing on your own. It’s dangerous.”
“Not with Zethan,” Kade said. “He brings them just close enough for me to fill a few orbs with their energy, and then he sends them back out to sea.”
That was impressive.
“Which is why you need me,” Zethan said, sounding like a petulant child.
“Your brother needs you more right now. Sitia needs you,” Kade said.
“Then you should come with us,” Zethan said. “I need a dancer to keep the storm from hurting the people on our side.”
Heli held her breath. If Kade joined them, she’d be in charge of the other Stormdancers for the season—a big responsibility. But a part of her wished to go with them. They’d worked well as a team before. However, Kade was in charge.
As if he read her mind, Kade met her gaze. “I need to stay on the coast. Since we already have so many filled orbs, Heli can accompany you if she wants. If not—”
“I’ll go.” A mixture of fear and excitement twisted around her heart.
“When do we leave?” Teegan asked.
“At first light,” Kade said. “And don’t tell us where you’re going, but make sure you send a message to Fisk.” He stood and filled another bowl with chowder. “Come on, Ray. They need to plan, and Helen must be starving by now.”
Heli’s mind raced with possible locations for them to lie low. Also, a couple comments from the conversation had snagged in her mind.
Before Kade and Raiden left, Zethan called out, “Who’s in charge?”
“If you have to ask, it isn’t you.” Kade waved good-night.
Before Zethan could respond, Heli said, “I am.”
“Why you?” Teegan asked in a tone more curious than combative.
“I’m the oldest. I know Sitia. And I have the most experience.” Heli held up three fingers.
“We just turned seventeen,” Zethan said. “Plus we were all at the Krystal garrison.”
“Heli helped my parents free the Bloodrose clan last year,” Teegan said.
Heli flipped up her pinky as those random comments connected like lightning in her brain. “And I’ve a great idea.”
13
YELENA
The knife pressed against my throat. Frustration eclipsed my fear. The soldiers we’d ambushed had just ambushed us. They’d pretended to be knocked out by the sleeping potion that had coated our weapons and filled our darts.
“Weapons down, now,” the man holding me ordered.
A thin line of pain seared my skin as he emphasized his point.
Valek glanced at Onora, but she’d disappeared. Cahil’s crew looked to Valek for guidance. He held a dart, but the drug hadn’t worked on the soldiers. No time to wonder why.
“Easy,” Valek said. He placed his weapons on the ground with enough flourish to distract the soldiers while he palmed a new set of darts. I hoped those were laced with goo-goo juice, as it appeared nothing else in our arsenal would work. Valek motioned for the others to disarm.
“Let’s be reasonable, gentlemen. What do you want?” Valek asked.
“Let’s not,” the scout behind me said. “Jone and Nusi, secure them.”
The two on the wagon hopped down and reached under the seat for manacles. Jone and Nusi approached Valek first.
Valek waited until they were within striking distance. “Now!” He whirled, kicking the manacles from their hands.
I was yanked sideways so hard, I broke free from the man’s grasp. In a heartbeat, he flew forward and landed on the ground. He didn’t move. Onora appeared next to me and grinned. She drew her knives. Cahil’s crew reclaimed their weapons. I turned, and Kiki’s copper face peered at me through the greenery. Happy to see her, I grabbed my bo staff and joined the fracas.
Well... I tried. Valek fought Jone and Nusi. They had some skill but lacked experience. Valek slid past their defenses and disarmed them in a few moves. Onora also took down two opponents, and Hanni, Faxon and Sladen proved very capable of handling themselves in a fight. Soon they had manacled all eight of them—five men and three women—to eigh
t trees. The scout who had grabbed me still hadn’t regained consciousness.
“What did you hit him with?” Valek asked Onora.
“I didn’t. Kiki kicked him with her back hoof. She has excellent aim. I just tugged Yelena out of the way.”
Remembering the knife, I touched my throat, smearing blood from a shallow slice along my skin.
Valek pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the rest off. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I owe Kiki a few milk oats, though.” I gazed at the prisoners. “Why didn’t the sleeping potion work on you?”
“We’re not telling you,” Jone said.
Valek held up a dart laced with goo-goo juice. “You won’t have a choice.”
Unless they were immune to this drug, as well.
“But first...” Valek strode over to the wagon, and I followed right behind him. He cut Mara and Esau loose, then unlocked their manacles.
Bruises marked both their faces, and raw skin ringed their wrists and ankles. Mara ripped her gag off and collapsed in my arms. Alarmed, I hugged her close as she sobbed into my shoulder. Oh, no. Fear bloomed in my chest, squeezing my heart.
