“Of course I do. But they think we were lost at sea. Isn’t that better than knowing we’re going to be executed?”

“He said—”

“Don’t be a fool. The law is clear. Plus he has executed hundreds of magicians. Why would we be the exception?”

Normally Valek encouraged such exaggerations—fear was a powerful motivator—but this time, it irked him. He pushed up on one elbow. “I’ve killed twenty-three magicians, and if you two don’t shut up and go to sleep, I’ll add two more to my total.”

He lay back down. The number had been an estimate. When he’d been dispatched to investigate reports of a teen with powers, he’d arrived and soon after, the person with magic disappeared. However, no one knew he’d arranged for him or her to escape across the border. Everyone believed he’d killed the teen. Even the Commander.

Hedda and Arbon had both accused him of blind loyalty. And while he’d been loyal to the Commander all these years, he hadn’t been as blind nor as completely obedient as everyone assumed.

* * *

When Valek arrived in the stable the next morning, Onyx and a gray horse named Smoke were saddled and ready for travel. Zohav and Zethan kept their distance while the stable boy tied on their bags. They’d acquired fresh uniforms and a few personal items from the garrison’s commissary.

Valek petted Onyx’s neck, then checked his legs for hot spots. His coat gleamed and the black horse appeared healthy. “Tell Smoke to follow you,” he said to Onyx before mounting. “Zethan, you’ll ride Smoke, and Zohav, you’re with me.”

The girl frowned, but she listened to the stable boy’s instructions and soon settled behind Valek. Zethan also received a quick lesson on how to mount and steer the horse. The boy grinned in anticipation. Just like Valek’s older twin brothers—Victor had been cautious and protective, while Viliam had rushed headlong into any adventure.

Valek turned to Zohav. “Which way?”

She pressed her lips together, but then told him to follow the road that headed northeast.

Eager for the exercise, Onyx set a fast pace. Valek glanced at Zethan, who bounced in the saddle, but appeared to be enjoying the speed.

When Onyx finally slowed, Valek rode beside Smoke. “How did you end up on the coast?” he asked Zethan.

Zethan glanced at his sister, as if seeking permission to speak. After a brief hesitation, he said, “After we turned fourteen, it became obvious that we both had magic. Our father searched for a teacher to help us learn how to control it before anyone found out. Nell...” He paused and swallowed, staring at his hands, gripping the reins much harder than necessary. “Nell taught us these last two years. She has...had the ability to call the wind, and she used it when sailing or to beat all the other fishing boats to the prime spots.”

“What are your abilities?” Valek asked.

“Zee,” Zohav warned.

“It doesn’t matter now, Zo. Besides, he rescued us from the pirates.”

“We’re still prisoners.”

“She has a point,” Valek said. “You should never tell your enemy the extent of your powers, or he’ll find ways to counter them.” Like trapping you in a null shield, Valek thought sourly.

“I guess,” Zethan agreed. “Although I don’t know how someone could counter a storm. I can call them and then direct their paths.”

“Zee!”

Valek suppressed a smile. “Actually, Stormdancers could turn your storm into a gentle rain.”

“Really? What are Stormdancers?”

Valek explained the magicians to Zethan. “The Commander has even allowed Kade Stormdance to harvest the energy from the blizzards sweeping down from the northern ice sheet.”

Zethan groaned. “Great. The one year I don’t have to shovel snow, and I’m trapped on some island in the middle of the Sunset Ocean.”

“I don’t believe the Commander would let a magician into Ixia,” Zohav said.

Valek twisted in his seat. “That’s three. Call me a liar one more time, and you’ll be turned into cargo. I also expect an apology when you finally understand.”

Zohav stared at him, not backing down an inch. Almost all of her fear of him had been transformed into anger. In the sunlight, the blue in her eyes sparkled like sapphires. He suspected if he flattened his gaze into his killer’s demeanor, she’d become frightened once more. But he’d rather have her angry than scared. He faced forward, and their conversation became limited to directions to their town.

They stopped briefly at noon for a quick dinner. The Colonel had provided full travel rations for the three of them.

Zethan couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “What other types of magicians are there?”

Valek explained about the Master Magicians and the various magical abilities of the others. “Some people have what’s called a One-Trick, which is one ability that is more instinctive than learned. They don’t have to worry about flaming out or being influenced by other, more powerful magicians.”

“Flaming out? Should we be worried?” Zethan asked.

“No. You’re in control of your powers, and you have Nell to thank for that. Otherwise, you would have grabbed more and more power until it overwhelmed you. By that point, the Master Magicians in Sitia would have sensed your presence and dispatched an...assassin to end your life before you flamed out. When a flameout happens, you not only kill yourself, but you ruin the power blanket for the other magicians.”