Galen and Walsh. You can use one of those super messengers
and call for help for all of us. But you hand them over. Why
should I listen to you?”
“Because, if you think fighting back now is too hard, if
I use my magic to send for help, you will have no chance at all.” I explained about the blood connection. “I’m saving my
free magic to take out your two biggest opponents. In fact, if
you organize a revolt, don’t tell me any of your plans. Don’t
trust me. If Galen forces me to use my magic and I’m…lost
to him, take me out first. I’ll be your strongest opponent.”
Quinn looked a little green, but he nodded.
Unfortunately, whatever had distracted Galen stopped after
four days. Then he launched an aggressive campaign to get
me to use my magic. I resisted even when the guards whipped
Spy Glass
357
a woman. Quinn needed more time, and I rationalized one
person’s suffering, although horrible, was better than the whole clan being in danger. After three unsuccessful days, Galen
switched to children and I could no longer resist.
The links in my chain built rapidly. Five days later the
shakes started. I ignored the initial signs of withdrawal and
concentrated on teaching Quinn. But once the tremors in my
muscles could no longer be disregarded, I raced to the brig and collapsed on the bed. The hunger grew inside me. I fought
it, keeping my thoughts on other things—my family, friends,
Kade, Devlen. In time, nothing distracted me from the need.
Every single part of me craved magic and I struggled with the
desire to pull it toward me. The suffering seemed endless.
I was granted a moment of clarity and relief when Galen
visited. He held my orb in one hand. His other rested on my
arm.
He brandished the orb. “What were you planning to do
with this?”
Strung out, I couldn’t produce any emotions over his dis-
covery. “Suck you and Walsh dry,” I said.
“In order to siphon my magic, you would have to sacrifice
your own again.”
I shrugged. “Unoriginal, but it works.”
“Temporarily.”
“Why?”
“Walsh and I have stockpiled our blood. Drain us now and
we’ll just reclaim it by injecting our saved blood. Thanks to
you, we already know it works.”
“Glad to be of service.” At this point sarcasm remained my
only weapon.
Galen handed me the orb. Potential throbbed under my
fingertips. Too easy. A trap. “What if I just drain myself ?” I asked.
“Go
ahead.”
A trick. In order to siphon my own magic, I would have
358
Maria V. Snyder
to use magic. The effort would finish the chain and he would
stop me. Not enough time for Quinn.
“I didn’t think you’d fall for it,” Galen said. “You’re very
resistant. It’s a good quality. However Walsh is very impatient.”
He removed his hand.
The longing returned full force. I trembled and shook.
Sweat stung my eyes as wave after wave of raw need rocked
me. At one point I realized I still clutched the orb. A survival instinct kicked in and I closed my eyes, focusing on the potential in my hands. I was desperate enough to try siphoning
my powers, hoping I could do it faster than Galen could stop
me.
Summoning the strength, I— The orb was yanked away.
“No,” Galen said.
I opened my eyes. He loomed over me. Before I could
protest, he jabbed a needle into my arm.
Instant relief spread throughout my body, smothering the
craving.
Galen’s gleeful voice woke me.
“Today’s the day.” He poked my arm.
I f linched away. “The day for what?” I asked.
“The final link in your chain. This is going to be fun and
so easy.” Galen strode from my room and f lung the main
entrance door wide-open. Heli stood on the other side.
I leaped to my feet. Heli ! Oh no ! The sunlight glinted off the blond streaks in her light brown hair. She had
pulled it into a ponytail, but a few wisps had escaped and
clung to her cheek. Despite being in utter shock over seeing
me alive, terror gleamed in her eyes.
She wore a Bloodrose tunic. But the gray fabric had been
wrapped around her, trapping her arms in the material.
Galen knew it, as well.
“We found her trespassing.” Galen pulled Heli inside. Two
more guards entered, bringing the total to three.
“A friend of yours, right?” He didn’t wait for an answer.
“What I want to know is how she found you?”
“You deciphered the message on the sea glass, didn’t you?”
I asked her.
Her gaze jumped to Galen.
“Answer me,” I snapped, drawing her attention back.
“Yes.”
Her voice remained strong. Good. Although I wondered
why she hadn’t tried to use her magic to escape.
360
Maria V. Snyder
“And you took off without telling anyone, didn’t you?” I
asked.
Understanding f lashed in her eyes. She dipped her head as
if ashamed. “Yes.”
“What message?” Galen asked.
“On Quinn’s sea glass collection. A generic cry for help.
Right?” I asked her.
“It said he was being held against his will.” She licked her
lips. “I came to check it out.”
“And you found a ghost,” Galen said. “This must be the
season for reunions. Even an old friend of mine showed up a few days ago. What is it about f lag-raising ceremonies? Brings out the long lost. But I believe you’re already acquainted with my friend.” He leaned outside. “Come say hello.”
Devlen entered the brig. A jolt zipped through my spine.
His bare arms hung at his sides. Tattoos covered them. My
heart melted, dripped into my guts and solidified. I met his
gaze and saw what I needed to see.
“Let her go, and I’ll cooperate,” I said to Galen.
He laughed. “She knows too much. And I know who she
is. She created a sandstorm trying to escape.” He gestured to
her. “Can’t do anything now that she’s wrapped up in a null
shield.”
The strange tunic. Only a few people knew null shields
could be grafted to clothing. I scowled at Devlen.
“He’s been a fountain of information,” Galen said. “I also
know you care about her. Maybe you care enough to use your
magic to save her?”
My fears realized, I braced myself for the ultimatum.
“A simple request. Drain her powers or I’ll kill her.”
I silently bid my soul goodbye. “I’ll need an orb.”
Galen looked at Devlen. He disappeared for a moment and
returned with my orb. I snatched it from his hands. Heli
backed up to the wall. She shook her head no. Tears streaked
her face. Her terrified gaze pleaded with me.
Spy Glass
361
“Her tunic,” I said in a monotone. The glass in my hands
buzzed with potential.
“Devlen,” Galen said.
Heli squeaked when he approached her. She looked so young
and fragile next to him. He spun her around. The tunic had
been tied up her back. Ripping the laces free, he stripped the
shirt off her.
“Now,” Galen said.
Glad I had kept my mental barrier between Galen and my
emotions, I reached. I connected with Heli’s mind, discovering
I could communicate with her. Must be one of those hybrid
powers Galen had mentioned. Act like you’ve been stabbed with a knife in your stomach, I said in her mind. Then I bypassed her to contact Devlen.
He stood behind Heli. Focusing on him, I opened my
mind to him . Don’t react. Help Quinn. Then I drew his magic into the orb, draining his link to Galen, freeing him of the
addiction. And at the same time the last link locked around
me, binding me to Galen.
Heli yelped and doubled over, moaning in pain. A little too
much, but Galen was distracted by the ringing of diamonds
filling my orb. Devlen remained impassive despite the burning
pain.
Heli, pretend to pass out. When I shout, create a tornado, blow a big hole in the wall and go,” I ordered. Do not come back.
She swooned and collapsed on the ground. The last of
Devlen’s magic chimed into the orb. Galen grabbed the orb,
admiring the diamonds sparkling inside. Before he could issue
any commands to me, I shouted at Heli to go.
A blast of wind knocked Galen over as sand spiraled into
the air. The tiny grains stung my face and arms as I jumped
on Galen and wrapped my hands around his neck. An explo-
sion of sound and debris slammed against my back, but I kept
squeezing.
362
Maria V. Snyder
He recovered from the surprise and peeled my fingers from
his neck. “Stop.” He wheezed with the effort to speak.
I obeyed. I had no choice.
“Get off me.”
My muscles moved without waiting for my approval. I stood
as if another worked the controls on my body.
Galen brushed sand off his shirt and pants. “Did you enjoy
your last hurrah?” he asked.
I had to be honest. “Yes.”
“Where is she going?”
“Away from here.”
The guards had been knocked unconscious, but a couple
more poked their heads into the room.
“Find the young Stormdancer. Don’t get close. Use the
blowpipes,” Galen ordered.
They nodded and hurried off. I willed Heli to run faster.
Galen frowned. “You will pay for that.” He glanced at Devlen’s prone form. Heli’s mini tornado had knocked him over
and pieces of wood from the hole she blasted had pierced his
skin. The tattoo ink still stained his skin, but the blood magic was gone.
“Heal him,” Galen ordered me, probably thinking it would
be a punishment.
When I turned toward Devlen, Galen added, “And then
heal yourself. Your back is a mess.”
Funny, I didn’t feel any pain. I reached around and touched
my shoulder blade, setting it on fire. My fingers came away
sticky with blood.
I knelt next to Devlen as he struggled to sit up.
“I’m fine,” he said, pushing my hands away from his bloody
torso.
But it didn’t matter; I plucked the splinters from his skin.
He winced in pain. Galen hadn’t said to be gentle and, if I
was too nice, he would be suspicious.
Spy Glass
363
The guards called Galen away. After ordering me to stay,
he stepped outside.
Once Devlen’s wounds were clear, I checked to make sure
Galen was gone before reaching around and coating my fingers
with my own blood.
“Opal.” Devlen grabbed my clean hand. “I need to
explain.”
“Later.” I smeared my blood into his cuts, taking as much
from my back as possible.
His eyes widened and he seized both my wrists. “No.”
“Trust me. It’s to protect you.”
He released them without hesitation. “How?”
“To quote Leif, you’ll stink of magic, but won’t have any
power. You’re on your own for the rest.” When I finished, I
traced his wounds with a fingertip. I imagined them as cracked
glass and I applied the magic like applying heat to the crack.
The skin melted together, leaving behind bright purple scars.
Lingering over his body, I didn’t hurry. He had worked hard
while in prison, building muscle tone.
Devlen twined his fingers in mine, bringing them to his
lips. He kissed the back of my hand. “I knew you weren’t
dead.”
“I
have to obey Galen’s orders. And as soon as he remembers to order me to remove the magical barrier between us, he’ll
be able to read my emotions as well. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Since you don’t have magic, he can read your emotions
now. So be careful.”
“I will.” He glanced over my shoulder and dropped my
hand. A scowl creased his forehead.
“What’s taking so long?” Galen asked, but he didn’t wait
for an answer. “Finish up. Devlen, help her.”
He tried to be easy as he tugged the splinters free, but a few
had been driven in deep. I admired Heli’s strength as I gritted
364
Maria V. Snyder
my teeth. The hole in the wall where one of the rooms had
been could fit a grown man.
“That’s all of them,” Devlen said.
“I need to see the damage. Is there a mirror anywhere?” I
asked.
Galen grumped. “Use Devlen.”
Appearing disgruntled, I instructed Devlen to trace the cuts
as I had done for him. Then, closing my eyes, I sent him the
hot magic to seal the wounds. For a brief moment I tasted his
torment over watching me obey Galen and not being able to
help me.
Stifle it, I sent to Devlen.
When I finished, I marveled at the ease of healing. Even
after all the magic I used, I felt energetic.
Galen ordered me to find Heli. When I moved to leave the
barracks, he grabbed my arm. “With your magic.”
“Oh.” Pulling thin strands from the power blanket, I sent
them from me, weaving a web. He didn’t specify how fast, so
I moved as slow as cooling glass. I searched every nook and
cranny, being very thorough. It occurred to me that I might
be able to capitalize on the loopholes in his orders. Specifics would be essential.
I found Heli hiding in a cave on the north coast, east of the
Bloodroses’ beach. Rocky cliffs extended along the peninsula
before smoothing out. The water had carved caverns deep into
the cliffs. If not for me, it would have been a perfect hiding
spot.
“Did you find her?” Galen asked.
I couldn’t shut my mouth. “Yes.”
“Tell me her exact location.”
Feeling horrible, I gave him directions. He ordered me to
stay put and took Devlen with him, but he returned an instant
later. “Almost forgot. Don’t use your magic to warn her.”
Not good. Galen was catching on. H
owever Galen didn’t
know Heli wasn’t alone. When I was certain they were gone,
Spy Glass
365
I sought Kade. A strong barrier surrounded him. I tapped
on it and he opened his mind to me, welcoming me in with
astounded relief.
Opal! Thank fate you’re alive! What’s going on? Where are you?
What—
I cut him off. They’re coming to get Heli. They know where she is. Galen hadn’t ordered me not to warn Kade.
How?
I told them.
Silence.
They don’t know about you yet. Take Heli to safety and stay there.
Both of you.
I felt his resistance.
Heli and I can fight them, he said.
You can, but you can’t fight me.
Tell me what’s going on, he pleaded.
As long as you’re moving.
Okay. We’re leaving now. We’ll head—
Don’t tell me. Just listen. As I detailed my predicament, his emotions f
lowed over me. Shock. Horror. Anger.
Determination.
Send a message to Yelena and Valek. They have the best chance.
Okay? You and Heli need to stay away, I said . I will be forced to hurt you. Do you understand?
Yes, I understand. An undercurrent of misery rippled with his response . Since we’ve been together, this is the third time you’ve told me to stay away.
It’s for your protection!
But Kade had severed the connection.
With nothing else to do, I changed my shirt and cleaned up
the mess. The orb had dropped to the ground during Heli’s
escape, but it wasn’t broken. Diamonds had spilled. I picked
them up and piled them all on a piece of the wall.
Sitting cross-legged, I cradled the orb in my lap. The glass
366
Maria V. Snyder
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 loop-