“I understood that part. It’s the next bit I’m having trouble following. How does extracting a syringe full of blood save a magician’s power?”
Yelena glanced at Opal. “I’ll let Opal explain. She has more experience.”
“Unfortunately,” Opal said dryly. “Don’t you remember what happened at the Bloodrose cult? With me and Galen?”
“I thought that was specific to you two because you shared blood.”
“That was part of it. But in essence, a person’s ability to use magic is in the blood. I don’t know why, but it’s been proven. This magic ability remains in the blood even when it’s drawn into a syringe. The power can be transferred to another magician by injecting it into his or her bloodstream, or it can enhance a magician’s power by tattooing it into the skin.” She rubbed her arms. “But it can also be used if something happens to a magician’s magic. As long as it was drawn before the ability to wield magic is lost.”
It didn’t take him long to make the leap in logic. “So, basically, if all the magicians draw a vial of blood and then are hit with the Harman sap, they could theoretically reclaim their powers?”
“Yes!” Opal said.
No wonder they’d been so enthusiastic. He thought through the logistics. “When I contact the Master Magicians, I’ll warn them about the sap. They’ll have to find enough syringes for everyone and someone who isn’t squeamish to draw the blood.”
“They only need a few syringes,” Opal said. “The blood can be stored in glass vials.”
“How do they preserve the samples?” he asked.
“The masters can do it,” Opal said. “And I believe Teegan will be able to do it for you and the others who are here.”
Valek hadn’t even considered his own magic. It was so new, and he hadn’t had time to come to terms with it. The thought of being hit by the Harman sap didn’t upset him, but he would take the steps needed to preserve the ability, just in case.
When news about the Harman countermeasure circulated, the mood in the farmhouse was positively buoyant. Valek spent the next few days reviewing the plan with his team leaders in the small office. Since Teegan and Leif had the ability to mentally communicate with the Master Magicians, they’d been assigned as the principals. Even though Zethan could only receive a mental communication, he was also picked to be a lead.
“Don’t try to contact the masters when you first arrive,” Valek instructed them. “There are other magicians in the garrisons who are seeking magic, and we don’t want to tip them off that you’re nearby.”
“Shouldn’t the magicians be on our side by then?” Teegan asked.
“Assume they aren’t until it’s confirmed that they are no longer under the Cartel’s influence. There are also messengers who are Theobroma-free, so don’t take any unnecessary risks. Contact them right before all hell breaks loose.”
Smiles all around. Although Zethan’s didn’t last.
“Zee, Bain will reach out to you,” Valek said. “He will know you are coming, and of all the masters, he can bypass anyone who is trying to snoop.”
“Just don’t be offended when he calls you ‘child,’” Leif said. “He calls everyone that, even the Keep’s bursar, and that man is only a few years younger than Bain.”
When they finished the meeting, Valek asked Teegan to stay. He uncovered the super messenger and handed it to the boy. “Time to contact the masters and let them in on our plans. Start with Bain, then Irys. If there’s enough power left, reach out for Zitora. If not, you’ll be close enough when you arrive near the garrison.”
“And I have a light touch,” Teegan bragged.
“There’s that.”
Then the boy sobered. “I don’t know Master Zitora. She might not let me in.”
A valid point. Valek considered. “She knows me.”
Teegan tapped on the glass. “We should do this together. We’ll have more power, and you can answer any of her questions that I don’t know.”
“Good idea.”
“Boy genius, remember?”
“How could I ever forget?” Valek’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Teegan grinned. “Baby brain.”
He mock-growled at the boy but couldn’t keep a stern expression. Now that everyone had heard it, the phrase was quickly becoming the excuse for everything. Teegan grabbed his hand, and they contacted Bain, Irys and then Zitora. The magic in the messenger died before they finished their session with Zitora, but Teegan now had a connection to her.
Tired from the effort, Valek considered resting—perhaps Yelena needed a nap—but Ari and Janco entered the office soon after Teegan left. They stood in front of the desk.
“We’re not happy about you facing Owen alone,” Ari said.
“I don’t expect to go toe-to-toe with the man,” Valek said.
“What do you expect? ’Cause there are three of them and one of you,” Janco said.
“I expect to assassinate them. If I do it correctly, they will have no idea what hit them.”
Janco grinned. “Way to go, Boss.”
Ari elbowed him. “We still think you should take—”
“There’s no one to take. And you know it.” Valek understood their concern, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“Little Miss Assassin would have been perfect to act as your backup.” Janco’s expression turned somber.
“Don’t worry about her,” Valek said. “She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
He brightened a bit. “Yeah. I bet she’s driving Brunsie crazy.”
“Hanging out with Janco, she certainly had enough experience with the fine art of pestering someone to distraction,” Ari said.
“Hey!”
Valek studied his two friends as they bickered. They had saved his life, protected Yelena, and done so much for him over the years, including committing treason by being here instead of with the Commander in Ixia.
And now, he needed to ask them to do one more thing.
Interrupting them, Valek said, “When you breach the garrison, please keep an eye on the twins. They’re powerful, but they’re still young, and my mother would be upset if anything happened to them.” He already had more of an understanding of this parent-child bond, and his own baby wasn’t even born yet. Valek could only imagine how much worse it would be once the child joined the world and faced all the dangers and hazards associated with living.
“Will do, Boss,” Janco said. “I understand all about keeping mothers happy.”
“You do?” Ari asked with a doubtful tone.
“Yes. Just because I ignore it doesn’t mean I don’t understand it.”
* * *
After Valek ensured everyone understood what they needed to do, he planned to leave the next morning. Having the most experience with syringes, Devlen drew a vial of Valek’s blood, which Teegan preserved. Valek would find a safe place to hide it on his way to the castle. Each magician would decide where to hide his or her own blood. This ensured that the vials weren’t stored in one location and would protect them from being sabotaged by the Cartel.
When he joined Yelena in their room, the desire to lecture his wife about being extra careful and staying alive boiled up his throat with searing bubbles, but he kept it in check. She understood. And he was sure she was biting back on her worries as well.
Instead, they locked the door and spent the evening being together. When they’d exhausted their bodies, they lay intertwined and talked about everything but the upcoming Firestorm.
“If it’s a boy, we could name him Valek,” Yelena said.
“Then we’d both respond when you called,” he said. “No. Too confusing.”
“What do you suggest?”
He decided to have some fun. “Rock. That’s a strong n
ame.”
“It’s also an inanimate object. Try again.”