Spy Glass. Maria Snyder V.

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СКАЧАТЬ become, I wanted to help her instead.” The truth. When he failed to reply, I added, “Besides, I had planned to convince her of your…good intentions? Maybe I need to rethink that. Unless you’d rather she not trust you enough to let you be in the same room with her?”

      His stance relaxed a smidge.

      I pressed my advantage. “And I’m positive her view of magicians wouldn’t improve if I told her you’d been using magic to spy on her.”

      “I’m not spying. I’m doing my job.”

      “Then why isn’t she surrounded by a null shield? That would have protected her.”

      “Not from you.” He gestured to me. “You could have attacked her with your sais. Magic isn’t the only weapon.”

      “But she’s surrounded by guards at all times.”

      “Guards you selected.”

      “They’re Fulgor soldiers. They’re more loyal to her than you,” I shot back.

      He crossed his arms again. This conversation had gone nowhere. I returned my sais to the holder hanging around my waist. Long slits in my cloak allowed me to access them without getting tangled in the fabric.

      “How about a truce?” I asked.

      “I’m listening.”

      “I believe Tama can sense your magic on an unconscious level.” I held up my hand when he opened his mouth. “Hear me out. In order to help her over her fear of magicians, I need you to stop the protective magic. If you feel she’s in danger, you can surround her with a null shield. And in return, I will keep you updated on her progress.”

      He considered my offer. “Not you. I want the Councilor’s First Adviser to give me twice daily reports.”

      So he could read Faith’s mind to ensure we didn’t lie to him. “Fine.”

      “And you have to answer two questions.”

      Wary, I asked, “What questions?”

      “Why didn’t you tell Master Bloodgood about your immunity?”

      He couldn’t use magic to determine if I lied, but he studied me with a strong intensity. Remembering what Valek had said about my poor acting skills, I kept as close to the truth as possible.

      “At first, I hoped my powers would return after I healed. They didn’t. Now, since the Council and Bain are dealing with the consequences of the soon-to-be-extinct glass messengers, I wanted to keep a low profile until things settled to a point where I can tell Bain and he’ll be more receptive to figuring out a way my immunity can help Sitia.” I waited, hoping that last bit wasn’t too much.

      “Why did you come looking for a job in Fulgor?” Zebb asked.

      “Obviously, I can’t go to the Citadel and my hometown, Booruby, is filled with glass factories.” I lowered my gaze, not having to pretend to be upset. The hot sweet smell of molten glass fogged the streets, and the glint of sunlight from shops displaying glasswares pierced the air. It was impossible to avoid the reminders of what I had sacrificed.

      “I have a few friends in Fulgor. It seemed like a good place to start,” I said.

      He agreed to the truce, but also puffed out his chest and threatened to tell the Council about my immunity if I failed to keep him informed. I ignored his bluster. What concerned me more was I still didn’t know why Zebb failed to erect a null shield around Tama. Until then, I wouldn’t trust him.

      Tama Moon’s confidence crept back over the next twenty days. We had weeded out the inexperienced guards and assembled a group of seasoned veterans with flaw-less service records. Nic’s team remained her personal bodyguards, but her distrust of magicians failed to abate despite my assurances and the lack of magic.

      The taverns buzzed with general rumblings from the citizens over the mass firings of the guards, but otherwise their biggest concern was over why their Councilor hadn’t returned to the Citadel.

      Sipping wine at the bar of the Pig Pen, I overheard bits of a conversation from a few people talking nearby.

      “…they’re making resolutions without her.”

      “…we need someone to speak for our clan.”

      “First Akako and now this…maybe we should demand her resignation.”

      “The Council could assign someone…”

      “…they take forever to make a decision.”

      When they turned to another subject, I stopped listening. Their accurate comment about the Sitian Council and the slow pace of decisions snagged on one of my own worries. What if the Council decided to execute Ulrick, Tricky and his goons before I had a chance to find out where they hid my blood? A slight risk, but still a possibility. Perhaps it was time to resume my own project.

      I had planned to ask Tama to arrange a visit with Ulrick for me, but no visitors were allowed inside Wirral. And I couldn’t find any exceptions—like by order of the Councilor—to that rule. I needed an alternative plan.

      “Faith, do you have a minute?” I asked from the threshold of her office.

      “Sure, come in.”

      Sunlight streamed in from the large glass windows behind her. I suppressed the memory of being here when Gressa had occupied the First Adviser’s position. Then I had been manacled and considered a criminal. Instead, I noted the lush carpet and rich furniture. Her office was as ornate as the Councilor’s, but smaller.

      I settled into a comfortable chair in front of Faith’s desk. When she smiled at me, a prick of guilt jabbed me. Squashing all such feelings, I stayed pleasant as we exchanged small talk. Eventually, she asked what I needed.

      “Tama has improved so much over the last twenty-five days, but she is still terrified of Zebb,” I said.

      “That’s understandable,” Faith said.

      “I know, but the townspeople are worried about her missing Council sessions and if she doesn’t return soon, there could be a call for her resignation.”

      Faith tsked. “There are always naysayers out there. You can’t please everyone.”

      “True, but I have an idea that might help.”

      Her eyebrows arched as she waited for me to continue.

      “I’m assuming her sister Akako and Gressa are in the maximum security prison?”

      “Yes, they are both in the SMU along with those other men.”

      “Do you know the correctional officers who work in the SMU?” I asked.

      “Not personally. They’re a specially trained elite unit. In fact, there are only a handful of people allowed in the SMU.”

      “Do the officers live there?” That seemed extreme.

      “No.” СКАЧАТЬ