“A possibility. Once this mess with Varun and the orbs is settled, I’ll see about assigning one of my Stormdancers to help you with your experiments.”

Another jab of disappointment pierced me. I berated myself, thinking of Ulrick.

“The reason I wanted to speak to you alone is…” Kade hesitated. It was the first time I’d seen him uncertain. “I have a favor to ask.”

Intrigued and a little uneasy, I encouraged him to continue.

“It’s about my orb. I didn’t want to leave it with another Stormdancer, yet I don’t want to carry it with me on this mission. It could be used as a weapon in the wrong hands. Will you keep it for me?”

“Of course, but why didn’t you give it to Raiden?”

Kade fiddled with the sleeve of his cape. “Raiden would send it off to be used to fuel one of our factories. We’re short of orbs this year and he threatened to stop indulging me in my ‘maudlin behavior.’ The orbs are vital to the Stormdance economy, but I’m not ready to part with it just yet. And I knew you would understand why.”

The orb was his last physical connection to his sister, Kaya.

“Is that why you asked me? Because I’ve lost a sister, too?”

“No. Because I trust you.”

As we talked, Kade and I had wandered into the main section of the Citadel. Although a few people still shopped, most of the market stands were closed for the day. Twilight cast a pall on the marble walls. Strident voices pulled my attention to an alley on my right. Two men engaged in a verbal argument.

Kade and I were about to walk past when the snick of a switchblade reached us. I shared a look with Kade and he strode down the alley without hesitation. I followed.

“Excuse me,” he called. “I’m in need of directions. Can one of you gentlemen tell me where the Council Hall is?”

The smaller man tried to step away from his companion, but the other grabbed his shirt. “Go ask someone else. We’re busy,” he said.

The voice sounded familiar. I peered at the bigger man. In the weak light, the raw gash on his lower lip oozed black. Bloody Lip. My hands grasped the handles of my sais.

“Sir, do you need help?” Kade asked.

“This man is trying—”

“Shut up,” Bloody Lip growled. He raised his knife. “Leave now and I won’t hurt you.”

“We could say the same thing,” Kade replied.

A wind gust blew through the alley, sweeping trash into the air. I pulled my sais and held them in the ready position.

Bloody Lip met my gaze and pushed the man down, turning all his attention to us. “I know you. You’re that student who cost me my job.” His other hand moved and with another snick he brandished a second knife. “You won’t surprise me this time.”

He advanced. Another gust flowed around us. It whistled and slammed into Bloody Lip, but the air around us remained calm. He kept his feet as the litter in the alley shot past. The victim huddled low to the ground.

A banging noise sounded behind me and I turned in time to avoid a couple of barrels rolled by the wind. They hit the edge of a cobblestone and launched into the air, connecting with Bloody Lip. He tumbled to the ground, cursing as a knife skittered out of his hand.

The wind stopped and Bloody Lip crawled to his feet and ran away. Kade helped the victim to stand.

“Thank fate you came along. That man was trying to rob me,” he said. His voice quavered with a shaky indignation.

“Do you want us to escort you to the Citadel guards to report him?” I asked.

He flinched and attempted a smile. “No. No time. I have a delivery to make. Can you accompany me to the store? It’s not far.”

“Sure,” Kade said. He moved aside to let the man lead.

“My name’s Chun. Who do I have the pleasure of thanking for rescuing me?”

We introduced ourselves. Chun chatted about nothing in particular and once again thanked us when we reached his destination.

The storefront was unremarkable, but I recognized the place as belonging to one of the many black market dealers Pazia and I had visited. Chun’s reluctance to talk to the authorities was now understandable. His delivery was probably of black market goods.

We left and headed back toward the Keep. Two blocks away I made the connection.

Stopping in midstride, I said, “Chun entered Bloody Lip’s place.” I explained about Bex and Bloody Lip’s attempt to strong-arm me and Pazia into buying fake diamonds.

“Do you think Chun and he worked together?” Kade asked.

“No. Bloody Lip mentioned getting fired.” I thought it through. “Let’s go back and see where he goes.”

We found a small alcove near the store and waited. My attention tended to wander. The air between me and Kade felt as if a mini thunderstorm brewed within the narrow gap. A sudden desire to grasp Kade’s arm and share his energy swelled in my heart. I stifled it with difficulty.

Chun finally exited after the lamplighters had finished lighting the street. An errant gust had blown the lamp near us out. From Kade’s grin, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.

Before Chun could move away, the door swung open and a man stuck his head out.

“I forgot about the midseason festival,” he said. “Bring us ten more crystals. The tourists will snatch them up. Everyone loves a bargain.”

They shared a chuckle, and I wondered if the crystals he mentioned were the fake diamonds.

Keeping a half-block distance back from Chun, we followed him to the Citadel’s north gate. He stopped at the public paddock nearby. Each of the Citadel’s entrances had a place where you could stable your horse or store a wagon. A convenience for those who only came for the day. The paddocks were run by the government and every large town in Sitia had one.