“With the orbs?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t solve it. My father did.” Before he could comment, I walked away. The crux of my worry revealed. My first mission for the Masters and I had run home to my father for help, wasting precious time.

But Kade wouldn’t let me go off in a huff. He caught up to me and matched my stride as I ascended the trail toward the cave.

“You wouldn’t be mistaken for a younger woman if you had a little more self-confidence.”

I stopped and he almost bumped into me. “What do you mean?”

“Examine your actions during the last two weeks. Is there another who could have done what you did?”

“My—”

“With both the glass orbs and with the magic?”

I cast about for an answer, but as the delay grew longer, Kade became smugger.

“You win. I’m the all-powerful glass magician. Happy now?”

“No. More.” He waited.

“More?”

“Yes.”

“The savior of the Stormdancers. The founder of long-distance communication.” I clamped my mouth shut on another boast—the creator of the glass prisons—mentioning them would ruin the mood.

“Good. Now remember all those deeds the next time you’re presented with a problem. Knowing what you can do will help you feel confident enough to tackle the next storm.”

“Storm?” I asked.

“Sorry. I tend to compare everything to storms. People, life and problem solving.”

I considered his philosophy. “What happens when you feel able to deal with a gale, yet, despite your best efforts, it still wreaks havoc?”

“Clean up the pieces, rebuild and continue as best as you can.” The humor faded from his eyes. “Although a few things will be permanently destroyed.”

That was the kicker. Some things were too precious to lose, and I was sure Kade referred to his sister. My thoughts turned to Tula. Was my sister completely gone?

“You’re wrong,” I said.

“How so?”

“At first, it feels as if she has vanished forever, and all traces are destroyed. But later, when the pain of loss doesn’t overwhelm all your other feelings, every time you think of her, or hear her voice in your head, or remember a happy time together, you realize she’s still a part of you and will never be totally gone.”

“Is this from experience?” Kade held himself tight as if afraid to move.

“Unfortunately.” I told him about Tula, avoiding the horrible details of her death, but making it clear she had been taken from us.

“Then this fire burning inside me will extinguish?”

I assumed he referred to grief. “It’ll die down in time. After all, storms do fizzle.”

A brief smile touched Kade’s lips. “Now you’re using weather analogies. If you hang around here any longer, you’ll be spouting storm lingo like a dancer.”

I widened my eyes in mock horror. “Then I’d better go.”

He laughed. And I marveled at the rich sound—a rare gem, considering all his sour looks and ill humor.

“You better hurry then.” His laughter died, but his amusement remained. “Stay safe on your journey home. I won’t be there to blow away your attackers.” Kade grinned. “I must admit, knocking Blue Eyes over was the most fun I’ve had this season.”

His shoulder brushed mine when he strode past. Energy sizzled down my arm, raising all the hairs as if the air around me was charged for a lightning strike. If Kade felt it, he showed no signs. He continued up the trail, bypassing the storm cave.

I arrived at the cavern in time to see Tal swing his pack over his shoulder, almost knocking Indra over with the motion.

“I’m ecstatic you’re leaving, Tal,” Indra said. “I think you’ll be much happier harvesting indigo and mucking out stables.”

“I don’t really care what you think. You act like you’re so special. How special can you be when you needed little Opal’s help? She’s proven there’s no magic involved in your work. Anyone can make those orbs.” Tal spun on Raiden. “Deliver your own message to Soshe, old man. I no longer work for you.” Tal stomped out.

I hurried to get out of his way. He never looked back.

“Finally,” Indra said.

She settled back in her chair between her brothers and next to the fire. Lines of weariness marked the three glassmakers’ faces. Varun stared at the entrance with his lips pursed in contemplation. Raiden sat cross-legged on the floor, repairing a fishing net. The other Stormdancers were absent.

“Where are Heli and the others?” I asked Raiden.

He gestured with a threaded needle. “Out searching for treasure. Big storms deposit all types of goodies on the beach. Heli has a huge collection of beautiful seashells.” He broke the black twine with his teeth. “I would suggest you join them, but it looks like your boss is getting ready to go.”

I glanced toward the back of the cave. Zitora saddled Sudi. As I skirted the fire to go help her, Indra gestured to me.

“The new orbs worked. Are we good to go?” Indra asked.

“Yes. But you should keep watch over your ingredients until all the orbs are made. One of you should stay in the kiln’s cave at all times.”

“Surely, you don’t think one of our clan members sabotaged the lime?” Nodin asked.

“There’s no evidence to suggest it. But, then again, there’s no evidence to disprove it, either. Tal—”