Glass Collection: Storm Glass / Sea Glass / Spy Glass. Maria V. Snyder
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glanced at Pazia and Fisk. “I was just leaving the stables, when I spotted you crossing through the gate. I didn’t want to interrupt your evening with your friend, so I followed you to keep you safe.” He scanned the surrounding buildings with a rueful grin. All was dark, and a low rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. “Laid low by five street kids, though. I’m not much of a protector.”
“You would have used the storm to escape,” I said. Seeing Fisk and Pazia’s confusion, I introduced Kade to them.
Fisk’s eyes held a question.
“This changes nothing,” I said to him. “We’ll keep our appointment with Elita in four days.”
“Good. See you then.” Fisk walked away.
Pazia didn’t hesitate to take Kade’s arm and lead him toward the Keep. She chatted with him, asking questions about being a Stormdancer. I followed a step behind. My thoughts churned as my emotions seesawed from apprehension to grief. Questions without answers plagued me and I hustled Kade and Pazia along, hoping to get him alone.
Once inside the Keep, Pazia wanted to go with us to Zitora’s office.
“You have an early class tomorrow,” I reminded her. “This is just glass stuff. Boring to you, I’m sure.”
She said a warm good-night to Kade, shot me a frozen glare and headed to her rooms.
“I take it she’s not a good friend,” he said.
We climbed the stairs to the administration building.
“We’re working together on another project.” Foreboding silence settled on me as I escorted Kade to Zitora’s office.
As expected, a strip of lantern light glowed under the door. Zitora’s surprise at seeing Kade was quickly replaced by concern.
“What happened?” she asked.
He repeated his news.
“Are you sure Indra and Nodin were murdered?” she asked. “You knew they might be in danger, didn’t you have extra security?”
“We did. Two guards, both knocked unconscious. And there’s no doubt they were killed. If they fell, they would have landed closer to the base of The Cliffs. And we think they were unconscious when they were thrown from the cave and hit the beach.” Kade rubbed his leg. “It was late at night, and no one heard the ‘fall scream.’ It’s a distinctive shriek of fear that abruptly stops. It’s not a sound any Stormdancer can sleep through or ever forget.” He drew in a deep breath. “The next morning, we found their bodies and a few drops of blood and scuff marks on the floor of the cave. No signs of Varun.”
His explanation left one question in my mind. “Why them and not me?”
“The glassmakers were the only three besides you who knew the recipe. I’m guessing the Traitor Tal and his friends targeted Indra and her brothers after their attempt to coerce it from you didn’t work. Once they had the sand percentages, they would have only needed one glassmaker to help them craft orbs. The others …”
Thrown away. I shuddered at the image of Tricky threatening Indra’s life if her brothers didn’t tell him the recipe. They were a loving family and would have obliged in a heartbeat. Varun probably volunteered to go with Sir’s group. I understood all too well the desire to sacrifice for another family member. Did he know the sacrifice was for nothing? Did he feel the hot knife of grief ripping his body to shreds when he realized nobody was saved? Not if they wanted his cooperation. He would learn the truth later. If he lived.
My mind filled with what I had done to keep Tula safe. What I had promised to make the man stop.
“Opal, snap out of it,” Zitora said.
“Sorry.” I pulled my thoughts to the problem at hand.
“As we speculated before, the group wants to either put the Stormdancers out of business or use the orbs to bribe us.” Kade paused as if deciding how much information to share with us. “The glassmakers have always kept the orb’s exact recipe to themselves. As the strongest Stormdancer, my sister knew it and I planned to ask Indra … Well, you know how crazy this season has been. But if we can’t make orbs, then we would be at the mercy of those that could.”
“I can teach your clan members the recipe,” I said.
“Exactly! And that’s why you’re still in danger and why I’m here to warn you. I’m sure Sir wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate you so the Stormdancers have no other recourse.”
My heart flipped. “Then I should tell you both the orb recipe. It’s forty—”
“Write it down. Tell Master Cowan,” Kade said. “I don’t want to know it just yet.”
I searched his face. Grim determination pulled the corners of his mouth taut. His amber eyes darkened as if a storm brewed.
“You’re planning to go after them?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“But what about teaching the new glassmakers?”
“It’s the cold season. While the storms are mild in comparison to the cooling season, the water is high and rough. It’s safer to stay away from the coast until the warming season. Then you can come and help a new crew. If you would?”
“Of course.”
“Do you know where Sir’s group is?” Zitora asked him.
“No. They haven’t been seen since Opal burned down their workshop. But we know they’re not in Stormdance territory or the Krystal Clan’s land.”
“You still have nine more territories to search plus the Citadel.” Zitora considered. “I could help you, but I’m embroiled in another problem. Perhaps you could wait?”
“No, I’ll start. If you can join me when you have time, I would be most grateful.”
“Sand suppliers,” I blurted.
“What?” Kade asked.
“Sir’s group would need to order the orb’s ingredients from suppliers. There aren’t many requests for lava flakes and Bloodgood’s red sand. You could talk to the suppliers, see if a purchase was made and where it was delivered.”
“Opal, you’re a genius!” Kade grabbed me in a quick hug.
At his touch, a connection between us sparked with an intense heat. He stepped away in surprise. The memory of when we linked through the orbs rose in my mind.
If Zitora noticed our sudden awkwardness, she didn’t mention it. Instead, she said, “That’s an excellent idea. Opal, can you give Kade a list of suppliers?”
“Yes. I can even introduce him to the merchants who have stands in the Citadel’s market. I’ll send a message to my father. He can check with the suppliers in Booruby.”
“Great. Kade, you can stay at the Keep as long as you want. Let me know if you need anything.”
“How about a bodyguard for Opal?” he asked.
Zitora smiled. “She already has one. Opal, please escort Kade to the guest quarters, and show him where the dining hall is located.”
As we left the administration building, Kade asked me about the bodyguard. “Was she talking about Pazia or Fisk?”
“Neither.” I glanced around the darkened courtyard. Lamps lit the paths winding around the classroom studios and student barracks. The guest quarters were housed in two separate structures behind administration, kitty-corner to the back of the Keep’s main building.
My rooms were in the southern tip of the east apprentice wing, close to both the guest lodgings and dining hall.
I spotted Ulrick lurking in the shadows. He followed us as we walked along the path.
The Stormdancer