Ari told Opal and Devlen their plans and asked them about Teegan. “I think you’ll have enough protection. Plus a bigger group of people will draw more attention.”

“I agree,” Opal said. She glanced at her children. “As much as I want to keep them safe from harm, I know we won’t be safe until this is over. Teegan can decide.”

“What about Reema?” Janco asked.

“She coming with us.”

“Woo-hoo!” Reema said. When they all looked over at her, she slapped a card down. “I win!”

Smooth recovery. Janco’d been right. Rabbit ears.

Teegan chose to accompany Ari and Janco. They picked a rendezvous location near the Greenblade garrison.

“When you’re done spreading the spores, meet us there,” Ari said. “I think Yelena and Valek are planning the big counterattack to commence during the first month of the hot season.”

“And if they don’t escape the Citadel?” Janco asked.

“Then we’ll implement the other counterattack.”

“Oh, the other attack. I feel so much better now.”

* * *

The next morning, as they were saying goodbye and eliciting promises to be careful, Heli pulled Janco aside.

“You’re going to rescue the Councilors?” she asked.

“We’re going to try.”

“I have something that might help you. Come on.”

Surprised, he followed her. She opened her bulging saddle bag. He had wondered what she’d packed in there. Heli pulled out a wrapped bundle and handed it to Janco. It was shaped like a small watermelon and about as heavy.

“What’s in here?”

“A glass orb. Be careful. It’s filled. And you do not want it to break.”

Confused and alarmed, he asked, “You mean there’s a storm inside it?”

“Not quite. The energy from a storm is trapped inside. And if you shatter the orb on...let’s say, the garrison’s wall...the energy released will bring that wall crashing down.”

“Holy snow cats! That’s...” Janco couldn’t find the proper words for just how awesome it was.

“I couldn’t carry more than two, but Kade and Zethan have filled lots of extras. They’re storing them at The Cliffs. Just make sure you’re a safe distance away before you use them. Maybe they’ll come in handy for the big counterattack.” She grinned.

“Sweetheart, there’s no maybe about it.”

22

YELENA

I paused halfway up the steps to the Council Hall. Leaning slightly forward, I pretended to huff from the effort of the climb, resting a hand on my huge fake belly. My five “children” bounced up the stairs. Then, when they realized “mom” wasn’t keeping up, they hopped back down. The two oldest supported me as I waddled up to the landing.

“Thanks, ducklings.” I patted my “sons” on their shoulders.

The guards at the entrance watched us with amusement. I kept my thoughts on the task at hand, suppressing the doubts and million worries about what could go wrong deep into my subconscious. Free Fisk first. Then I’d fret over the next task.

There were a few other people entering the building, and I followed them with my children in tow. “Sir, can you direct me to where I obtain permission to leave the Citadel?” I asked one of them.

“Second floor. Can’t miss it. There’s a line.”

“Thank you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the magician turning her attention to me. I signaled my children. They started bickering and it escalated into fighting. Then they knocked into the magician as they wrestled. I swooped in and scolded them, apologized and made them say they were sorry before we all trundled off.

As I waddled, I kept expecting her to call after me or sound the alarm, but nothing happened. The stairs to the upper floors were visible from the open lobby. According to Onora, the queue for the permits stayed long all day, and it trailed down the steps. I joined the line with a sigh, rubbing my lower back. My ducklings pretended to get bored and wandered off. The magician at the entrance scanned the people exiting and didn’t appear to be interested in me.

Onora had left the safe house earlier this afternoon. I assumed she’d entered without trouble. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the signal. I rubbed my back with a little groan.

“Maybe you should sit down, dear,” the lady next to me said.

“It’s worse when I sit. This duck is just being difficult.” I patted my stomach.

She nodded knowingly. “I had one like that. Are you due soon?”

“Not for a week, at least.”

“Not a good time to travel.”

“Oh, no, I’m not leaving yet. Once the new duck is born, I’m going to visit my mother. Let her wrangle the others while I rest.”

“That’s a good idea.”

We stood in companionable silence as the line inched along. I scanned the flow of people crossing the lobby and using the other set of stairs. Valek’s theory about Bruns’s plans to target all the magicians tried to sabotage my thoughts. We needed to stop that battle and find a way to protect them. How we would accomplish this monumental task had so far failed to materialize.

Instead of worrying about it, I switched my concern to Valek. His part of the plan was just as dangerous as ours, but he’d downplayed it with his usual bravado. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Onora on the far end of the lobby. She nodded at me—our agreed-upon signal—before disappearing.