Fire Study (Poison Study 3)

“My clan will repopulate,” Moon Man said. “I have no doubt.”

“And I have no doubt if these Vermin of Sitia are conquered, it’s only a matter of time before another magician wishes to take over the current government. The talent to control another’s mind and body is intoxicating and addicting. Better to ban magic and eliminate magicians altogether.”

I wondered if the Commander’s views would change if he knew he might possess the skill to access magic. My thoughts returned to Opal’s bat and his ability to see the glow, mulling over the implications.

“Better to kill people the old-fashioned way,” Leif said, his voice indignant. “You’re saying that taking over a government with poisons, knives and swords is much better than using magic. Frankly, I see no difference.”

“Magic forces a person to do things they don’t want to. It controls their will.” The Commander leaned forward; his eyes lit with an intense passion.

Leif quailed under the Commander’s scrutiny, but he continued with his debate. “And your Code of Behavior doesn’t force people to do things they don’t want? Everyone in Ixia wants to wear uniforms? They want to obtain permission to marry or move to another district?”

“Small inconveniences to live in an area where there is no hunger and no corruption. To know exactly where your place is in society and what is expected from you. Being rewarded for your abilities and efforts instead of getting privileges because of who you were born to or what gender you are.”

“But the reward for having magical abilities is death,” Leif said. “I’m sure the families of those potential magicians don’t feel the loss of their loved one as inconvenient. Why not send them to Sitia instead?”

“Send them so they could be used against me?” The Commander’s voice reflected his incredulity. “That would be poor military strategy.”

Leif remained quiet.

“No government is perfect,” the Commander said, relaxing back into his chair. “The loss of a few personal freedoms has been embraced by most of Ixia, especially those who suffered under the King’s corruption. However, I know the younger generation is feeling restless and I will have to address that issue fairly soon.” He stared at Leif as if contemplating the future. “Yelena, I see your intelligence is a family trait. I hope you both decide to stay.”

A determined line formed along my brother’s jaw. Leif could be stubborn and perhaps he viewed changing the Commander’s mind about magicians as a challenge.

A messenger arrived and handed a scroll to the Commander. After reading the message, he stood. “Please enjoy the rest of your dinner. I have some matters to attend to.” He left, taking his guards and Star with him.

Before Star followed him, she flashed me a calculating look.

The Commander’s opinions about magic and magicians replayed in my mind as we returned to the guest suite. Although I agreed with Leif that Ixians with magical powers should not be killed, I also felt magic corrupted. Even Roze, the most powerful magician in Sitia, had been affected. To fear my potential as a Soulfinder was one thing, to support Cahil was another.

When we arrived at our quarters, I pulled Leif into my room.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I want to contact Irys. See what’s going on in the Citadel.”

“What I want to know is what’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since crossing the border, you have changed, treating Moon Man like a traitor and not trusting anyone. If you decide to stay as the Commander’s adviser, you’ll be a traitor to Sitia. What happened to Liaison Yelena? The neutral third party?”

“To be a Liaison, I need to have support of both parties. Are you going to help me contact Irys or lecture me?”

Leif grumbled and pouted but agreed to share his energy. I lay on the bed and drew power, projecting my awareness south to the Keep. Bypassing the busy thoughts of the Citadel’s inhabitants, I searched the campus for Irys. I couldn’t find her within her tower, but I sensed a faint echo as if the scent of her soul remained behind after she had left the room. Odd.

I moved on to the Keep’s other towers, hoping Irys was visiting with another Master. Zitora’s thoughts were walled off from intruders. Bain’s tower had that same odd feeling as Irys’s, and the cold barrier of Roze’s mind slammed into me. I bounced off and retreated, but an icy wind sucked me back toward her. This time her barrier was down, and cold fingers clamped around my awareness, pulling me into her mind.

Searching for someone? Roze asked.

I refused to answer.

You make it so easy, Yelena. Roze laughed. I knew you would contact Irys. You won’t be able to talk to her, I’m afraid. The Council decided Masters Irys and Bain were engaged in treasonous activities. They’re currently in the Keep’s cells.

21

HOW DID YOU MANAGE to frame two Master Magicians, Roze? I said, suppressing my shock and outrage.

They refused to sign the letter to the Commander, and they have been stalwart defenders of you and your brother. She said the word brother with heated contempt. They doubted Cahil’s word. Cahil, who single-handedly increased the strength of our army with Daviian Warriors.

Those Warriors are not there to help you. They’re there to use you.

I’m not going to take advice from you. Roze tightened her grip on my consciousness. A simpleton who’s about to lose her mind.

She peeled the layers of my consciousness away with a knife made of ice. Cold stabbed deep into the core of my thoughts, attempting to expose what I kept hidden.

Thinking of becoming an adviser to the Commander, what a laugh. After I’m done with you, you won’t be able to advise a baby on how to suck its thumb.

Unable to pull away, I panicked. Leif’s energy poured into me, but I still couldn’t break free. Flayed by her arctic magic, I remained helpless.

Valek was in Sitia to assassinate the Council. Hmm…most interesting, she said.

Desperate and knowing I couldn’t sever her hold, I reached closer to her, searching for a part of her I could control. Her soul. I tugged at the ghostlike force, smelling its rotten stench, and feeling it fray as if her soul was splitting into multiple personalities.

Roze jolted in horror and expelled me from her grip. As I escaped, her words reached me.

Try to rescue Irys and Bain. Come to the Citadel. We’re ready for you. Roze yanked a defensive wall between us, breaking our link.

I returned to my body, feeling exhausted and weak.

Leif loomed over me. “What happened? I lost you.”

“I got caught by Roze…” My thoughts returned to what she had said about Irys and Bain.

“And?”

“And, I broke free before she could dissect all my thoughts.”

“What did she find out?”

I told him she knew about the Commander’s offer and about Valek being in Sitia.

He creased his thick eyebrows as he considered. “Knowing about Valek could be a good thing. The Council can take measures to protect themselves in case Valek comes back.”

“If Roze warns them. Their deaths may be exactly what she wants.”

“No. Roze wants what is best for Sitia. She’s a strong-willed person and many Councilors are swayed by her arguments, but I don’t believe she would use murder or magic to get her way.”

I shook my head. After the attack, I knew she would resort to both to get what she wants. “You were her student. Of course you still hold charitable thoughts for her.”

“I know her better than you.” Leif’s voice huffed with anger. “I’ve worked for her and with her for nine years. Her methods can be harsh, but her concern is always for Sitia. She has always supported Cahil’s desire to become King of Ixia. In her mind, your Soulfinder abilities are a threat to Sitia. And I’m starting to agree with her.” Leif stormed from the room.

I wondered what had really upset Leif. In my opinion, Roze was a murderer. She didn’t kill the body, b

ut she destroyed minds without any remorse. Look at Marrok. But then again I had done the same thing with Ferde. At least, I admitted to being a killer. Was I any better? No.

My mind sorted through all the information from Roze. Rescuing Irys and Bain became a priority. I needed eyes and ears inside the Citadel’s walls, and a way to get messages inside the Keep. All without being seen or without risking anyone else. Magic was no longer an option. If I projected my awareness near the Keep, Roze would catch me again. Mundane methods remained my only recourse.

A plan formed, making my heart buzz with the possibilities. If I hadn’t been so drained of energy, I would have started preparations that night. Instead, I mapped out the steps I needed to take to return to Sitia.

I hovered at the entrance to Dilana’s workroom. The Commander’s seamstress sat in a pool of early-morning sunlight, humming to herself as her deft fingers repaired a pair of pants. Her soft curls glowed like fresh honey. I hesitated, not wanting to disturb her.

My need for information, though, spurred me into the room. She glanced up in surprise and my heart stopped. I braced myself for her reaction, guessing hate and anger ranked at the top of her list.

“Yelena!” She jumped to her feet. “I heard you were back.” She pulled me into a warm hug then released me for inspection. “You’re still too thin. And what’s this you’re wearing? The material is far too light for Ixia’s weather. Let me get you some proper clothes and something to eat. I have a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread.” She moved away.