held up his free hand. “No sense arguing. This is important. The Councilor told Gressa you had no intention of using your leverage with the Council.”
“I promised I would think about it.”
“I am sure you would. But we all know you will comply with the Council’s decision.”
“I disobeyed their order,” I retorted. He had called me an accommodating doormat before. Although I had proven him wrong and freed myself and Kade, my current situation didn’t support my argument. I avoided contemplating my current predicament. It wouldn’t be good for my mental stability.
“I was quite proud of your defiance. But it is obvious that you will not turn rogue and stay in Fulgor. Gressa knows this, as well, and she is intent on keeping you here.”
“It wouldn’t work. She can’t force me to make the glass messengers.”
I wanted to ignore Devlen’s expression. His raised eyebrow implied she damn well could. He would only need a few hours.
“How would she explain about my failure to return to the Citadel and the fact she has my glass animals?”
“For your disappearance, she will report you have escaped. As for the messengers, she could claim her brother has learned how to craft them, and that is why you are so intent on discrediting him…me.” He shot me a sly smile.
“That’s ridiculous.” However, knowing Gressa, I’d bet she could pull it off. And Devlen hadn’t released my hand. I scanned the street. Was he leading me to a place Gressa had prepared for my…stay? A vision of me chained to a kiln flashed through my mind. What happened to all those guards on the street?
Brilliant plan, yell for help from soldiers who work for the Councilor and her top aide. I almost groaned aloud. The unconscious guard next to my room would be used as proof of my escape. This quiet late-night stroll wouldn’t attract notice. I’d aided in my own kidnapping. Idiot wasn’t a strong enough word for me.
Devlen chuckled. “Just figuring it out?”
“Yep.”
“It would have been a neat trick.”
Would have been? Confused, I remembered he had grabbed my wrist, planning to use force, but dropped my arm. Part of the act?
“Opal, look.” He pointed to the end of the street. Quartz and Moonlight’s stable was a block away. “Your Ixian is waiting inside.” Devlen glanced at the sky. “Midnight, or close enough. Did you choose the time for dramatic reasons?”
“I improvised. How did you overhear our conversation in the jail?”
“Once the annoying Ixian escaped, the guards reported everything to the Councilor’s Aide, with whom I happened to be at the time. I figured out your clues, but Gressa did not.”
“Why are you helping me? You obviously intend to keep masquerading as Ulrick. With me…out of the way, it’ll be easier for you.”
He stopped and turned toward me. “Gressa is cunning and smart. She knows what happened to her brother, and has ensured my cooperation by threatening to expose and arrest me. Since I do not wish to be incarcerated, I will follow her orders.” Releasing my hand, he stepped back. “If you are gone, then I will not be ordered to force you to make messengers for her. I do not want to hurt you ever again.”
“You have to come with us,” I said. “Once we find Ulrick, we’ll need you.”
“If Ulrick wants to switch back to his body, bring him here. I am working for Gressa. She has given me a staff position.”
I muffled an hysterical cackle. Devlen a government employee while I remained a fugitive? At this point, I couldn’t imagine how my life could get any more distorted and unreal. “Why would you stay here? Why not run away before she can arrest you?”
His gaze searched the street and he tilted his head back as if scenting the wind. “Something is…odd. I am worried you might be in more danger. If I stay here, I am in a better position to help you.”
“You’ll risk getting captured for a vague feeling?”
He shrugged. “I need something to do while you search for Ulrick.”
“You’re that confident he won’t want to switch back?”
“Yes. And when you finally realize the truth, make sure you stop by Fulgor to apologize to me.”
“Apologize to you!” I almost screamed the words.
“I already apologized to you. Travel safe, Opal. I am missing you already.” Devlen spun on his heel and strode away from the stable. When he reached the end of the street, he glanced back, flashed me a smile and disappeared around a corner.
I hurried toward the stable as my thoughts whirled. Devlen was an evil Daviian Warper, who’d tortured, kidnapped and tricked me. Even though he could no longer access the power source, he remained dangerous. His limited knowledge of the Kirakawa ritual could be taught to another. Or he could try to reclaim his powers. I didn’t know enough about my own new abilities to determine if anyone’s blood would return his magic or if it had to be mine.
Ever since I drained him of power, he had been…different. No longer driven by his addiction to blood magic, he acted content. Acted being the key word. With his ability to sweet-talk his way out of any situation, and with his ease in living in Ulrick’s skin, I would be a fool to trust him. Too bad being a fool was my best skill.
When I reached the stable, Janco had already saddled the horses. Quartz nickered and pushed her muzzle into my chest. I scratched her behind the ears.
Janco tied a couple of feed bags onto Moonlight’s saddle. “How ja escape? I was all set to launch a rescue. A damsel-in-distress story is worth at least a couple of free ales at the pub.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Devlen could tell that tale, though I didn’t think he would. If Gressa discovered he had helped me, he would be in serious trouble. An anonymous message to Gressa would complicate his new life. I grinned.
“Do you have juicy details?” Janco asked. “Do tell!”
“Later. Aren’t you worried about riding out of here? They’re searching for you.”
Janco mounted Moonlight with one graceful movement. Impish delight lit his eyes. “They have me cornered on the north side of town. They believe I’m heading toward Ixia. We have another hour or so before the game is up.”
“How did you manage that?”
“Oh, a little silver here, a little misdirection there. All fun.”
After checking my saddlebags, I swung up on Quartz. Her ears perked up and the left one swiveled back to hear me.
“Where to?” Janco asked.
“East toward Ognap.”
We directed the horses, walking through the deserted streets. Even without horseshoes, the thud of their hooves on the stones sounded loud.
Janco leaned forward and stroked Moonlight’s black neck. “Quieter if you can,” he whispered. Both horses slowed. “Thanks.”
Surprised, I shot him a questioning look.
“Sandseed horses are very intelligent, and he’s one beautiful, bright boy.”
“And he allowed you to saddle him!” I said in an excited whisper. “How?”
He shrugged. “I introduced myself, and told him what was going on. Guess meeting the greatest swordsman in Ixia awed him into submission.”
“A swordsman who can’t handle a horsewhip. He probably felt sorry for you.”
He tsked. “Low blow.” Then smiled. “I’ve taught you well.”
We spent the rest of the night