“Opal?”

I grabbed the crystals and joined her. She had stopped by my saddlebags. One of the pouches gaped open.

Yelena pointed to the orb visible through the gap. “What is that?”

Her voice sounded odd and I guessed she heard the magic’s song. I had grown so used to the melody, I no longer muffled it. “It’s a Stormdancer orb. A storm’s essence is inside. Kade wanted me to keep it safe.” I shrugged. “I didn’t feel right leaving it behind.”

She turned to me in shock. I almost stepped back.

“Can you hear it?” I asked.

“Hear it? Can’t you see her?”

I knew who Yelena meant. “No. I only hear her name. She’s Kade’s sister. Kaya died while he harvested a storm.”

“Her soul is trapped inside that orb. She must be freed.”

26

YELENA MOVED TOWARD the orb.

“No. Wait.” I stepped in front of her. I stood about three inches taller than her, but I knew she possessed the power to move me aside.

“Why?” she asked.

“It’s Kade’s orb. He asked me to keep it safe.”

“Does he know his sister is trapped inside?”

I thought back. “On an unconscious level he does. He’s kept it with him since she died. But I doubt he knows her actual soul is there.”

“She should be released so she can find joy in the sky.”

“Is Kaya unhappy?”

“Let’s ask her.”

She grabbed my hand before I could say a word. The room swirled and spun as color drained, leaving gray in its wake. The furniture faded away. The walls curved around us and transformed into glass.

We stood inside the orb. My second trip, but this time Kaya didn’t form from sand granules. She waited for us—a ghost with a sad smile, her resemblance to Kade unmistakable. Her short brown hair was streaked blond by the sun.

Yelena asked her if she wanted to go to the sky.

“I would love to go to the sky, but you can’t set me free, Soulfinder,” Kaya said. “Only my brother can.”

Frowning, Yelena’s forehead crinkled with effort as she reached toward Kaya.

“That’s a first,” Yelena said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, I’ve met a few…interesting souls in the past four years.”

I remembered Leif’s translation of Yelena-speak, and interesting meant dangerous. “I didn’t know souls could be treacherous.”

“The ones who belong in the fire world are. They always fight.” She placed her hands on her hips. “We’ll have a talk with your brother.”

Kaya sighed. “I tried to tell him I was here, but he thinks I’m with the storms.”

“What does he have to do to free her?” I asked Yelena.

“Pull out the stopper.”

“Then why can’t we do that now?”

The Soulfinder smiled. “I know you’ve discovered more uses for your power, but do you really think you can control the force of the storm? I know I can’t.”

“Point taken. How about another Stormdancer?”

“No,” Kaya said. “Kade needs to free me.”

Lost in a blizzard, I yelled Kade’s name. My feet were frozen. I dragged them along as the wind whipped me with icy pellets.

“Opal, wake up.” Ulrick’s harsh voice woke me from another nightmare.

I shivered under my blankets.

His frown softened. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Another one?”

I nodded.

“The cave of lights?”

“No. I don’t think I’ll dream of that one again.”

“Why not?” His eyes held an intensity. Yelena had told me to keep my knowledge of the prison’s location a secret.

“Because we were there last night. And I found…”

“What?” He leaned closer to me.

“Gypsum crystals. A possible ingredient for the fake diamonds.”

“Makes sense, but what about this new nightmare?”

“Being lost in the cold. You know how much I hate the cold.” I shuddered.

But he wouldn’t let the subject drop. “You called for that Stormdancer.”

The real reason for his frown. “Kade’s my friend, Ulrick. I have friends. I have family. They’re all part of my life.

Besides, dreams are strange. You can’t get upset over them.” Trying to listen to my own advice, I stretched and yawned. “What time is it?”

“Almost dinnertime, but we’re having a meeting in Yelena’s office. She wants everyone there.”

“Leif won’t be happy.”

“He’s bringing a snack.”

I eyed Leif’s slice of cake with envy as I listened to Yelena. Ulrick sat next to me on the couch, and Master Jewelrose lounged in the other armchair. Kade wasn’t there. According to Yelena, he wasn’t at the inn so the messenger left a note.

Yelena preferred to pace around the office as she talked. “We’ll have to pick up Chun’s trail again to see where he delivers the crystals. And we still don’t know where the real diamonds are coming from.”

“We’ll set a watch at the cave,” Master Jewelrose said. “Hopefully he’ll come back for more supplies.”

“Have you figured out what the crystals are?” I asked.

“Yes. You were right. They’re gypsum crystals of high quality. The first ever found in Sitia.” The Master Magician seemed pleased. “And I’m guessing Councillor Moon’s team of surveyors found this cave and instead of reporting the find to the Councillor, told the Councillor’s sister.”