I could tell Irys and the others. They would set a trap for Ferde. But they wouldn’t let me near the site, so the trap was bound to fail.

Or I wouldn’t tell Irys about the note and would go to the meeting site alone. Irys’s warnings of what would happen if Ferde absorbed my magic filtered through my mind. He would then be powerful enough to control Sitia.

Let Opal die to save Sitia? I had promised myself that I wouldn’t let that happen to her. And what would stop Ferde once Opal died from tricking another magician into giving him her soul? Nothing.

I would need to keep this new situation tucked deep beneath my surface thoughts. Irys had been true to her word to not pry into my mind, but with the fate of Sitia at stake, I wouldn’t be surprised if she broke her promise.

My gaze met Valek’s. Magic couldn’t detect him.

“Her life is important,” I said, answering his question. “But capturing the killer is vital.”

“What do you need, love?”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Valek and I made some initial plans for rescuing Opal. When he returned to the Ixian delegation, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The next day I used my free time to practice controlling my magic and to do some physical training in preparation for my encounter with Ferde.

Irys, Roze and Bain had raided the apartment where, according to Fisk, the man with the red hands lived. The rooms were empty, and, by the mess that was scattered on the floor, the occupants had left in a hurry. Either someone had tipped him off, or he had felt the Masters’ approach. A dead end either way, which made Valek and my plans critical.

I also began demonstrating self-defense techniques to Zitora, finally keeping my side of our bargain to trade the Third Magician’s pile of clothes for defense training. The review helped in my training, as well.

The rain from the day before puddled in the training yard, and splattered us with mud as we worked on basic self-defense techniques. A apt student, Zitora quickly grasped the concepts.

“I pull my wrist out of your grasp through your thumb?” Zitora asked.

“Yes. It’s the weakest part.” I grunted as she yanked her arm from me. “Perfect. Now I’ll show you how to not only free your wrist, but twist your hand so you can grab your attacker’s arm and break it.”

Her eyes lit up with glee and I laughed. “Everyone thinks you’re so sweet and nice. I almost feel sorry for the first person to try and take advantage of that. Almost!”

We worked for a while until her moves became more instinctive.

“That’s a good start,” I said. “Those moves will help you against someone stronger than you, but if you go against a well-trained opponent, you’ll have to use different tactics.”

Zitora looked past my shoulder and her tawny eyes grew wide. “You mean I could take on someone like him? ”

I turned. Ari strode into the training area with Janco at his heels. Wearing his sleeveless training shirt and short pants, his powerful physique was apparent. While Janco might be leaner than his partner, I knew his speed could match Ari’s strength. They carried bows and broad smiles. My Keep guards looked queasy and undecided. I waved them off.

“Yes,” I said to Zitora. “With the proper training, you could escape from him. You wouldn’t last in a sparring match, but that’s not what self-defense is all about. Remember what I told you? Hit and—”

“Git!” Janco added. “Run like a bunny with a wolf on its tail. I see you’re passing our wisdom on, Yelena.” Janco turned to Zitora, and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “She was trained by the very best instructors in all of Ixia.”

“Another rule of self-defense is never believe everything you hear,” Ari said when Zitora appeared to be impressed by Janco’s words.

“How did you get past the Keep’s guards?” I asked Ari.

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “The guard asked for our names and our reason for visiting. We told him and he went into the guardhouse to consult with someone. When he came out he told us where to find you.”

There must be a magician posted at the gate who could communicate by magic to others in the Keep. That was good to know.

“Can we join you?” Janco asked. “I learned a few new self-defense moves. They’re nasty, too!”

“We were just finishing up,” I said.

Zitora wiped her face with a towel. “I need to get cleaned up before my Council meeting.” She hurried off with a wave.

“Are you too tired for a match?” Janco asked. “I want to make sure you’re at your best when I beat you.” He smiled sweetly.

“He’s been getting into trouble all day,” Ari said. “Too much time spent standing around, guarding Ambassador Signe and Adviser Ilom as they sat through one meeting after another.”

“Boring!” agreed Janco.

The fact that Valek had managed to fool Ari and Janco with his Ilom disguise made me feel a little better about his presence in Sitia.

“I could be half-asleep and still beat you, Janco,” I countered with my own boast.

He spun his bow and stepped back into a fighting stance. I picked my bow up and set my mind into my zone of concentration. I attacked.

“Good to know you’re keeping fit,” Janco puffed. He retreated a few feet, but counterattacked with determination. “She’s strong and spry, but can she fly?” Janco chanted.

I smiled, realizing how much I had missed his fighting rhymes. A second before he moved, I knew that he would feint high to draw my guard up so he could strike my exposed ribs. My failure to take the bait and to counter the rib strike shocked Janco into silence. Laughing, I drove him back, swept his feet out from under him, and scooted back to avoid the splash of mud when he dropped into a puddle.