Spy Glass. Maria Snyder V.

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СКАЧАТЬ Tama held herself as if my words could knock her over. She had been lied to, betrayed and ill-used. I would undo all the good progress if she discovered I hadn’t been frank with her. She needed to trust.

      “I’m immune to magic. That’s how I was able to block the attack. But I can’t shield you. Remember when I touched your wrist?”

      “Yes.”

      “It didn’t work, so my efforts were a temporary fix until Zebb arrived. If the magician had been prepared for my interference, I wouldn’t have saved you.”

      “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

      I sighed and explained my reasons. She sank into her chair as I talked.

      “And Zebb knows?”

      “He figured it out the first day.”

      “Why didn’t he tell me?”

      “Because I asked him not to.” Before she could respond, I added, “I wanted to keep the knowledge of my immunity from the Council until I decide what I want to do with it. His primary concern is keeping you safe. Since my immunity wouldn’t harm you, he respected my request.”

      “You do plan to tell the Council. Right?”

      “Yes. It’s inevitable. Anytime I interact with a magician, he or she will figure it out. I’m just waiting for the Council to…settle down and be a little more receptive to listening to me.”

      She laughed. “You’ve been hanging around here too long. That was very diplomatic.” Tama paused for a moment. “At least my instincts are still reliable. When you asked for a day off, I sensed your presence was linked to my feelings of safety.”

      “But—”

      “I know, I know.” She waved me off. “Feelings are not logical, Opal. And I’m not going to let my fears stop you from taking a day off. You need it. No offense, but you look terrible.”

      “Gee thanks.”

      “Why don’t you take today off, as well?”

      “I’m fine.” When she didn’t appear convinced, I added, “Your list of tasks won’t take long. I’ll leave early. Okay?”

      “Good.”

      I turned to go, but she asked me to wait. She scooted her chair closer to her desk and stacked a few papers. “Can you take these to the realty office?” She held out the sheets.

      “Sure.” I reached for the papers and hit an invisible wall. My fingers bent back as I tried to pierce it. The barrier felt solid and hard. Not magic. Magic moved like thick syrup, and I could put my hand in and swirl it around.

      “Opal, what’s wrong?”

      “I think…” I leaned my weight on the invisible barrier. “I think—”

      Zebb burst into the room with Tama’s two bodyguards right behind him. “She’s being attacked,” he cried as he rushed over to us.

      “Relax, Zebb,” I said. “It’s just me. I got too close”

      “Oh.” He dismissed the guards, and waited for my explanation.

      When the door closed, I said, “The shield must have reacted to my immunity.” I thought it through and followed the logic. My immunity was created by magic. A null shield blocked magic. I couldn’t reach Tama through the shield. Another interesting quirk to my new status. Another thing to keep quiet.

      As I saddled Quartz early the next morning, Finn arrived on the back of a beautiful golden quarter horse. Her blond mane and tail had been braided and her legs had white socks.

      I couldn’t resist running my hand along her long neck. “What’s her name?” I asked him.

      “Sun Ray.”

      “Perfect.” I tightened Quartz’s girth strap. Anxious to go, she fidgeted.

      “Is she a Sandseed horse?” Finn asked.

      I looked over. “Yes.”

      “I thought they’re rare, and only given to…”

      I finished for him. “Councilors, Master Magicians and powerful people like the Soulfinder?”

      He remained neutral. “Yeah.”

      “They are.” I let him figure it out. When I swung up into the saddle, I was eye level with Finn.

      He changed the subject. “Is that a jumping saddle?”

      “Yep.” I grinned. “Quartz loves to jump. I hope you can keep up.”

      “That won’t be a problem, because you won’t catch me.” He spurred Sun Ray into a gallop.

      To be fair, I waited a few seconds before giving Quartz the signal. Then we gave chase.

      My ribs protested the motion, but the pure joy of riding banished my aches, worries and problems. I concentrated on my connection with Quartz and soon we moved as one, flying over fences, chewing up the miles and drinking the wind. We transformed into a combined mass of energy and power, free to go anywhere. Exhilarating.

      We caught up to Finn and Sun Ray. He pointed to a forest in the distance. Our destination. With a burst of speed, we passed them and bolted for the forest. Once at the edge of the woods, we slowed and returned to horse and rider. I dismounted and walked beside Quartz, letting her cool down.

      Holding Sun Ray’s reins, Finn joined us, leading her beside us as she puffed for breath. Her golden coat gleamed with sweat. “I always thought the stories about the Sandseed horses had been exaggerated. Now I’m thinking they didn’t quite explain the—” he searched for the proper word “—splendor of the horse. Not just physical attractiveness, but the whole way she moved as if she embodied the tangible essence of pure beauty.” He looked a bit chagrined. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to gush.”

      “As long as it doesn’t go to her head. She’s already spoiled, but she’d be impossible to live with if she developed an overinflated ego.”

      We entered the forest, following a trail through the bare branches and crunching dead leaves under our boots. A few evergreens saved the landscape from being outright creepy. Only a few days remained in the cold season, but full greenery wouldn’t arrive until the end of the warming season.

      The gurgle of water reached me before we entered a rocky clearing. A stream cut through the middle, snaking around the bigger rocks. Finn tied his horse to a nearby tree, but I pulled Quartz’s bridle off and let her explore.

      “Aren’t you worried she’ll run away?” he asked.

      “No. Although, if she chooses to leave, I’d be devastated.”

      Quartz snorted and flicked me with her tail. Finn peered at me as if my skin had turned another color.

      “With Sandseed horses, the horse picks the rider. And if she decides СКАЧАТЬ