She rushed over and hugged Leif. “It’s been so long. I’m beginning to think you’re avoiding me,” she said.

He smirked. “Then you’d be thinking right. Every time I visit, you get me into trouble.”

“You have it all wrong. Again. Every time you visit me, you bring trouble.”

Yelena winked at me. I introduced her to Ulrick. He stuttered through his greeting, seeming to be awed by her. I didn’t blame him. Not only were her Soulfinding abilities legendary, but she radiated warmth and intelligence. And with those stunning green eyes and long black hair, she never lacked for admirers.

Of course, they wouldn’t dream of competing for her attentions. Valek, a master swordsman, assassin and leader of the intelligence network for Ixia was her soul mate. Sitia’s number one enemy. Despite her connection to Valek, she had become Ixia’s and Sitia’s liaison.

I glanced around the Hall’s lobby, searching for Valek.

Yelena laughed. “He’s not here, Opal. If the Councillor heard even a whiff of a rumor about him, she’d have heart failure.” She grew serious. “I’m glad you’re here. We’ve had some…interesting developments.”

Leif groaned. “That’s Yelena-speak for life-threatening danger.”

She shot him an annoyed look. I would have wilted under her stare, but Leif was nonplussed.

“Come up to my office. Irys and Kade are waiting for us.” Yelena led the way to a sweeping staircase.

An elaborate chandelier hung above the first landing. I marveled at its intricate construction and brilliance.

“That’s one of Gressa’s pieces,” Ulrick said in a neutral tone. Gressa was his talented younger sister. “She has a glass shop in Fulgor. She and Mother never worked well together. Gressa left as soon as she turned eighteen.”

“Do you want to visit her while we’re here?” I asked.

“I guess, if we have time.”

We climbed three stories before walking down a long corridor. I marveled at the sculptures and paintings decorating the hallways. The Moon Councillor’s Hall made Booruby’s look dumpy in comparison.

Yelena escorted us to an impressive office with a reception room. Dark crimson couches and brown leather armchairs contrasted in a pleasing way against the white marble walls. Thick red-and-gold carpets covered the floor.

“Good thing I was traveling with Master Jewelrose,” Yelena said. “Otherwise, they would have stuck me in the basement, using a barrel for a seat and an old packing crate as a desk.”

Third Magician pished at Yelena. “She exaggerates.”

Kade lounged in one of the armchairs. His dusty boots matched his disheveled appearance. One elbow was propped and he rested his head in his hand. He said nothing. Master Jewelrose waved at us to sit down and sent Yelena for tea.

Ulrick coughed. He was the only one bothered by sending a Soulfinder for refreshments. Leif plopped on the couch, kicked off his muddy boots and put his feet on the table.

“We’ve come to a standstill,” Master Jewelrose said. “Councillor Moon’s sister is organizing a coup, but the Councillor refuses to believe us. She insists the Commander of Ixia has sent Valek here to assassinate her.” She leaned back in her chair. A few black strands of hair had escaped her tight bun. Dark smudges stood out under her emerald-colored eyes.

“Why is she convinced Ambrose is out to get her?” Leif asked.

“Ambrose?” Yelena raised a slender eyebrow. She carried a tray of tea and fruit. “You’re on a first name basis with the Commander now?”

“I usually call him Amby, but not in mixed company. Hey!” Leif caught the apple his sister threw at him.

They looked chastised after Master Jewelrose gave them a stern stare. Yelena retrieved a black statue from a desk in the corner. She handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“You tell me.”

Carved into the shape of a dagger, the smooth statue glinted. “It’s not stone. Probably a type of high-quality glass. Just like those fake diamonds.” I turned the piece in my hands.

“What’s the significance?” Leif asked.

“It was found on Councillor Moon’s pillow. Her advisers warned it was a calling card from Valek, and she had been targeted for assassination,” Yelena said.

Before the Commander’s takeover of Ixia, Valek had assassinated the entire royal family. To make the job more interesting and challenging, he would leave one of his carvings on his victim’s bed to warn them.

“Valek doesn’t leave warnings anymore and, truthfully, if the Commander wrote an order for Councillor Moon’s assassination, she would be dead by now.”

Ulrick gaped at Yelena’s matter-of-fact tone.

“There has to be another reason the Councillor thinks the Commander is after her.” Leif reached for the dagger.

“The Councillor recently sent a team of specialists to search the Moon lands for diamond deposits. She believes the Commander wants to stop her before she finds any,” Yelena explained.

“Meanwhile, dear old sis is amassing arms and soldiers by selling fake diamonds?” Leif guessed.

“Right, but we had no proof. Until now.” She smiled at me. “Opal and Kade found the link between the sister and the fakes. Chun. Kade followed him straight to the mine.”

“It’s in a cave,” Kade said.

“What about the real diamonds? Any ideas on those?” Leif asked.