My reply was muffled by his broad chest. He laughed and released me.

“It’s only been a few seasons. Although you’ve grown a foot taller and a foot wider since I last saw you!”

No longer a gangly young man, Fisk had filled out. Almost six feet tall, he gazed down at me. A few light brown hairs jutted from his square chin.

“Now you’re exaggerating.” He linked his arm in mine. “What can I do for you?”

“I need a book merchant. One who can uncover hard-to-find books.”

“And she’s in a hurry,” Skippy said.

Fisk turned his attention to the magician, and I introduced them.

“I can hire you a better bodyguard,” Fisk said. “One who is not so impatient.”

“I’m not her bodyguard,” Skippy said. “I’m her—”

“Babysitter.” I supplied. “The Council worries I might cause trouble.”

Skippy’s face reddened.

Fisk laughed with a deep chuckle. “I wouldn’t use the word might. More like when.”

I punched him on the arm. “You’re not helping my reputation.”

“From the rumors I’ve been hearing, your reputation is beyond help.”

“What have you been hearing?” I asked.

Fisk slid his gaze toward Skippy, then waved a hand in the air. “Oh, you know. The standard gossip. Now, let me show you to Alethea’s. She’s the best book finder in Sitia.”

Alethea proved to be knowledgeable and promised to hunt down books about glassmakers throughout history. While we browsed Alethea’s shop, two kids burst through the door. They argued about a silver coin one of them had lost. Just as they passed Skippy, they came to blows, knocking into the magician.

Fisk drew me into a back room. “That should keep him occupied for a moment. What’s going on?”

“It would take me days to fill you in.”

“I can distract your companion long enough for you to escape.”

“Another time that would be great.”

“How can I help?”

“I would like to purchase a set of lock picks without Skippy knowing about it.” I handed Fisk a gold coin.

“Too much.” He dug for change.

“Keep it. I also would like a switchblade. The Weapons Master believes they’re the tool of dishonorable thieves.”

“And you don’t agree?”

“No. I lean more toward the vital-to-my-survival type of tool.”

“There will still be plenty of money left over.”

“That’s for when I’m at the market with my babysitter, and I do this.” I pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“My signal for a distraction?”

“Yes.”

His light brown eyes sparked. “My favorite kind of job. Haggling for housewares has lost its appeal.”

“I’m surprised Yelena hasn’t recruited you for her missions,” I joked.

“Who says she hasn’t?” He winked.

Skippy barged into the back room. “What’s going on?”

“We’re looking at the books.” I swept my arm to indicate the shelves.

“Didn’t you hear the fight? Why didn’t you help?” The short black hair on his left side stuck up and dirt stained his gray pants.

“Help a powerful magician like you?” I asked, all innocence and wide-eyed. “Why, I’d just get in the way.” I breezed past him and called goodbye to Alethea. “Send me a message if you find anything.”

Fisk left to assist his other clients and I led Skippy back to the Keep.

For the next two weeks, I trained an extra hour with my sais each night instead of making my glass messengers. According to Master Bloodgood, the Council wasn’t pleased with my new…request. He warned the discussion had turned ugly at one point and a few Councilors wanted to force my cooperation.

“How?” I asked.

“You do not seem surprised. You have already considered this possibility.” He leaned back in his chair. “Your sister lives and works at the Keep. She would be the most logical target.”

“They threatened to harm her?” I grabbed my chair arms to keep from jumping to my feet.

“No. But they can consider firing and evicting her. See if that is enough.”

“They’ll risk upsetting Leif.”

“A calculated risk.”

“Is this official?” I asked.

“Not yet, but I would suggest you meet them halfway. How about a reduction in the number of hours you are watched when you are in the Keep?”

“That would work. For now.”

He tapped a finger on his long nose. “You have a plan. I take it this will not end here?”

“I’m sorry, Master Bloodgood. I didn’t mean for you to be caught in the middle.”

“Nonsense, child. I applaud your efforts to stand up for yourself. Just watch you do not get too greedy or too stubborn.” “Yes, sir.”

He dismissed me. Before I left, I pulled a few more texts from his shelves. I searched for history books reporting on the more mundane aspects of life instead of those focusing on the magical marvels.

With my arms full, I negotiated past his office door and down the empty hall. Most of the administration workers were gone for the day. Only a few industrious souls and the Master Magicians remained.

The musty smell of mold and dust emanated from the stack I held. I sneezed and almost dropped the pile onto the floor. Sitting down, I shuffled the volumes to build a steadier heap.