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“No.” Valek eased into the room.
She held up a hand. “Stop right there.”
He did as instructed and slid his daggers back into their pockets. They wouldn’t help him in this situation. Nothing would. Her power could rip through his barrier like tissue paper. The only reason she hadn’t done it before was because he’d surprised her. Now she’d had time to think about it.
“You have magic. How did it happen?” she asked.
No sense lying. His and Yelena’s future rested in what happened next. “I made peace with my brothers’ murders. Seems that released the null shield I’d unknowingly grafted onto my soul when I’d witnessed their murders. Once the shield was gone, my magical powers were freed.” That was Yelena’s theory, and the timing confirmed it.
“Did you come here to kill me?” she asked.
“Do you think I can?”
“No. You’re strong, but not as strong as me.”
“Then why are you worried?”
“I wouldn’t call it worry. More like curiosity. Indulge me.”
“You have nothing to fear. You fall under the category of a Sitian who has been duped or brainwashed, and therefore are not to be killed or harmed if possible. Yelena’s orders.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Investigating. I hope Bain has some information to help us counter the Cartel.” He was growing tired of her suspicion. “Have you talked to Cahil yet?”
“No. We haven’t been able to talk privately. In fact, unless I’m in my room, I’m never alone. That magician, Cilly, is always hovering nearby. Bruns says it’s for my protection from you.” She frowned. “She’s tested my defenses a number of times, trying to get a sense of my loyalties. Don’t worry, she doesn’t have the power to get through. And I haven’t told Bruns what Yelena said or that she’s here.”
One good thing. “You’re alone now.”
“Master Magician, remember? I’m done with being protected.”
He approved. “This is a good place to hide.”
“I’m not hiding.” Zitora hooked her thumb toward the wall behind her. She stood in front of a large safe. The painting that had covered it rested on the floor. “Can you open it?”
Janco was the expert, but Valek had some experience. “Maybe. It depends on the model.”
“Will you open it for me?”
Ah, there was the right question. “If I can.”
She stepped aside. Moving slowly so he didn’t startle her, he crossed the room. He inspected the safe. Made of thick steel and with a complex lock, it would be difficult to crack. He spun the cylinder, feeling for that subtle vibration. It took him multiple tries, but finally the door opened.
He backed away. “What are you looking for?”
She dug into the contents, pulling various things out and setting them onto Irys’s desk. “Ahh.” Zitora removed a glass super messenger. “I thought she’d have one in case of an emergency.”
Smart. “Now you can contact Bain and confirm our story.”
“That’s the idea.” Yet she hesitated.
She still didn’t trust him.
“I’m going to Bain’s now. If you have time, ask him if he has any of Master Magician’s Ellis Moon’s papers.” He left.
Bain’s office was only a few doors down from Irys’s. Unlike Irys’s neat organization, a mess sprawled on every surface. Valek would have thought someone had searched the place if he hadn’t known Bain so well. The most powerful magician in the world loved researching little-known historical details when he had time. But as a member of the Sitian Council, he rarely had time.
Valek started with his desk and scanned the various piles of parchment. He found a list of missing magicians, and Valek wondered how many of them remained alive. Then he remembered Fisk had helped hide a few, which meant Bruns likely knew their locations. The desk drawers were crammed with...well, everything. Valek slid them shut without digging deeper. If Bain had gotten the notes, they would be on top somewhere. He strode over to the table. Flipping through the files, he searched for anything that appeared old.
“They’re in Bain’s tower,” Zitora said.
Valek spun around.
She cradled the messenger like a baby. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “They’re both alive!”
A relief. While the intel on the status of both the masters was fairly recent, there had been no guarantee that they remained alive.
“You were right,” she said. “I’m so sor—”
“Don’t apologize. Otherwise I’d have to apologize for not getting to the Citadel in time to stop you from entering in the first place, and a whole list of other transgressions.”
She laughed. It was a light, sweet sound.
Bain’s tower was located in the northeast corner of the Keep. As they trudged up four flights of stairs to the living quarters, he asked Zitora what she’d told Bruns about the chase.
“I told him I’d lost you. That it was pure luck that I’d sensed you in the first place. He has watchers stationed all around the Citadel now, but they aren’t aware that you’re wearing a disguise.”
Good to know, especially considering their plans for tomorrow night. They retrieved the thick file of Ellis’s notes from Bain’s night table. Then they crossed the campus to the Keep’s library.
Yelena sat at a table in the middle of the reading room. Sunlight streamed in from the skylight above, illuminating the open book before her. Two piles of tomes were stacked on both sides of her.
She glanced up when they entered and shot to her feet. “What—”
“Relax,” he said. “She contacted Bain.”
She blew out a breath. “How?”
He filled her in, then pointed to her book. “What are you reading?”
“When I didn’t find Ellis’s journals, I pulled books that mentioned plants, hoping to find a reference to the Harman trees.” She swept her hand over the piles to her left. “Nothing so far.”
“Keep looking while I read through the journals.” He placed the file on the table. They were safer here than in the apartment. Valek turned to Zitora. “You can stay in the Keep until the big rescue. We’re going—”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Why not?” Yelena asked.
“I’m going to stay with Bruns and play along, like Bain and Irys. I’ll be in the perfect position to help you when you stop the Cartel.”
Such confidence.
“How will we contact you?” Valek asked.
“Here.” She gave him the super messenger.
Magic pulsed inside, and the vibrations traveled up his arm.
“You can contact us all,” she said.
“I don’t—”
“It’s not hard to use. I can teach you.” She took back the glass cube. “Let down your mental barrier and reach out to me with your magic.”
He did as instructed. At first, he hit a solid brick wall. Zitora? he thought.
An opening appeared. Welcome to my mind, she thought. Sorry about the mess. I’ve had an interesting couple of days.
Same here.
She smiled. All right, now you know how to knock on another magician’s shield. Now I want you to reach out to Irys and tell me when you’ve hit your limit.
He sent his awareness to the northeast, toward Irys in the Featherstone garrison. A few people traveled on the road outside the Citadel. Then he picked up on the thoughts of those living in Owl’s Hill before he was unable to go farther—although he was shocked he had managed to even reach that far. I’m at the end.
Zitora placed the messenger in his hands. Use the magic inside to propel you further.
It was like a concentrated piece of the power blanket. As the extra magic infused him, he flew over the miles,
seeking Irys. Then he slammed into a stone barrier. Dazed, he needed a moment to collect his wits before knocking. Irys?
Valek? What are you doing here?
Long story, but I can access the power blanket now, and Zitora’s teaching me how to use your super messenger.
A pause. Ah, good. Contact me again when I’m needed. Remember those messengers have a limited amount of magic. Once used up, it can only be recharged by Quinn.
How can I tell how much has been used?
I could send a dozen messages before it’s depleted. Since you aren’t as strong, it would be less for you. Maybe eight total.
