17

“WHY?” I ASKED LEIF IN ALARM. “WHAT HAPPENED? MARA—”

“She’s fine. Nothing bad happened. I just received a message from Irys…Master Jewelrose.” He hesitated. “You’re not going to like this, but it makes sense.”

“What? Tell me.” I gripped his arm.

Leif glanced across the fire. The others talked and ate dinner, ignoring us, but Kade watched in concern.

“The Masters have detected a wild magician in the Bloodgood lands. This person is on the verge of flaming out. They’ve ordered us to get down there and stop him—or her.”

“How?”

“This is the part you’re not going to like. The Masters want you to siphon the wild magic into an orb.”

Shock rendered me speechless.

“You’ll save a life and stop the power source from warping. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

When put that way, he had a point. “Does the Council know? Did they give permission?”

“Yes, it’s all been approved. We need to leave tonight.”

“Do you have a specific location?”

“All they know is, the person is near the coast, maybe out on the peninsula.”

“Rather vague.”

“Don’t worry. When we get closer, I’ll be able to smell the power.”

Our whispered conversation went on long enough to draw Kade over to us.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

Leif explained about the message.

“Take one of the orbs and any supplies you need,” Kade said.

“I guess we’ll have to tell Skippy,” I said. The thought of traveling with him so soon was an unappealing prospect. “Unless we ditch—”

“No,” Leif said. “As much as I would love to sneak out without him, the Council would be upset.”

“And think about how this errand for the Masters will gain you more of the Council’s trust,” Kade said.

Another good point. Though the more I thought about this mission, the greater my annoyance. The Council treated me as if I were this dangerous entity until a situation arose where I might be beneficial to them.

Kade helped me collect supplies and pack my saddlebags. Ziven fussed about giving up one of the orbs until Kade reminded him that the glassmakers worked for the Stormdancers. Not the other way around.

I joined Leif and Skippy at the stable. Bamboo torches burned, casting a flickering yellow light.

“We’ll leave Moonlight here for now,” Leif said. “We can pick him up on the way back.”

Skippy scowled and muttered as he saddled Beryl. Quartz’s and Rusalka’s ears perked forward. They surged out of their stalls as if excited for another trip. I gathered their tack and we readied the horses.

Kade arrived with a handful of salted fish. “It’s not much, but it’ll get you through a couple days.”

“Thanks.” Leif packed them into his bag. “Good thing I still have all that jerky, and a few new recipes from Raiden.” He finished tightening the girth straps around Rusalka.

I hefted the saddle onto Quartz’s back. Kade helped me center it.

“I guess your surfing lessons will have to wait,” he said.

Finally, one good thing about this unexpected trip. I tried to look disappointed, but couldn’t maintain it for long. “Darn.”

“If it’s any consolation, we’ll have time when you get back. And by then, the storms will have fueled the waves. They’ll be bigger and stronger and more fun.”

“Wonderful.” I loaded the word with as much sarcasm as possible.

Kade failed to be disheartened. “You’re going to love it. Trust me.”

By the time we finished with the horses, the moon crested The Cliffs, coating the sand with a weak light. Stars peppered the night sky. No wind stirred. Calm waves rolled onto the beach with a soft hiss-slap.

“Wear your cloak,” Kade said. “It’s going to be cold tonight.”

We had already said goodbye to the others. Prin seemed happier than the glassmakers over my departure, which surprised me. Heli asked me to keep an eye out for more sea glass and Raiden wished us clear weather.

Leif and Skippy mounted, waiting for me. I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders. Kade pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Please be careful,” he said in my ear.

“I will.” We kissed.

“We’re wasting time,” Leif said.

After another quick hug goodbye, I swung up on Quartz. Leif urged Rusalka into a gallop, heading south. Skippy and I followed.

I enjoyed riding on the beach. The scrunch of sand under the horses’ hooves, the tangy salt air and the sparkles of moonlight on the surface of the sea all combined into an exhilarating experience. Of course, the novelty wore off as my energy waned. The beach looked inviting. Soft sand and the rhythm of the waves lulled me. I dozed in the saddle.

When the sun rose, we stopped for breakfast. Leif agreed to a few hours of sleep, but set a watch schedule.

“I don’t want to be surprised again.” He rubbed his neck. “I’ll take the first shift.”

Skippy collapsed on his mat and fell asleep in no time. Even though exhaustion pulled at my body, my mind raced.

“How long will it take us to get there?” I asked.

“Seven to nine days, depends on how far south the magician lives. We’ll stay on the beach most of the way. Master Bloodgood said it would be the fastest route.”