After traveling all day, we rested for a few hours before setting out again. We encountered no one. When I finally spotted a wooden barn-shaped building the next morning, hope bloomed. No animals roamed, and the renovations to the structure implied its new use could be a house or workshop. Smoke billowing from the large stone chimney meant at least one person was inside.

In fact, four people waited within. I recognized three of their faces. They stood among glassmaking machinery. The warm, kiln-humming comfort contrasted with the cold, heart-drumming fear of understanding. A moment of disorientation swept over me.

Tal leaned on a post in the center of the room. His smirk matched the superior c**k of his hips. The two others were the ambushers. I expected the leader to start cackling as he had on the day they had tried to stop Zitora and me from reaching the Stormdancers. The woman magician seemed pleased with my reaction. The man sitting on the glassmaker’s bench was unfamiliar to me.

I glanced at the Zitora imposter, expecting to see Blue Eyes with a smug smile. But it wasn’t him. Standing next to me was the other magician.

“I love a surprise. Don’t you?” he asked, pulling the backpack from my shoulders.

“And I love it when a plan is executed without trouble,” the leader said. He hustled over and linked his arm around mine. “Come in, come in.” Pulling me away from the door and from any chance of escape, he made a swooping gesture with his free arm. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

My advantage was at an end.

“Let me give you a tour,” the leader said.

With his arm still tight around mine, he showed me the kiln, the glory hole and all the other equipment needed to make glass. Bowls, vases and a few glass balls littered the work space. My mind registered the information, but couldn’t produce any intelligent thoughts beyond my terror.

The leader escorted me through a door behind the kiln and brought me into a long thin room studded with bunks.

“Our sleeping quarters, but look!” He opened a door at the back. “Your own room.”

A single cot had been wedged into the narrow space. No windows and the formidable door locks were on the outside.

He pointed at my cloak. “Why don’t you leave that here for now.” He released my arm long enough for me to toss the garment on the bed.

Reclaiming my elbow, he walked me to the opposite side of their quarters and through another door, entering into a kitchen with a table and chairs. The place also had a couch along the side wall.

He whisked me back to the main room. The others looked at me as if expecting me to say or do something. “Who—”

“I’ve forgotten my manners.” The leader tsked. “Let me introduce you. My name is Sir.” He pointed to the man who had led me here. “His name is Tricky. She’s Crafty. Our glassmaker’s name is Ash.”

The ambushers all shared grins with each other, and I knew their names were pseudonyms. Sir gestured to Tal. “I believe you already met him.”

I studied Tal. He was obviously in league with these people. Logic followed and I guessed he had been the one to sabotage the lime with Brittle Talc.

“I know him,” I said. “His name is Traitor.”

Tal purpled with rage. He moved toward me with the intent to harm clear in his body language.

Tricky blocked his path. Tall and muscular, the magician was the strongest-looking person of the group. I marveled at his skill in convincing me he was the diminutive Zitora. Even criminals possessed more magic than I did. Wonderful.

“After. Wait until after,” the magician told Tal.

His ominous comment reminded me there was no sense in lamenting over my deficiencies when my situation was…well, I wasn’t quite sure. Perhaps I should draw out the “pleasantries,” and give the real Zitora more time to reach me. She had to be searching for me. I hoped. I would even welcome the arrival of Captain Loris and Lieutenant Coll.

“Where is your other companion? The magician with the blue eyes?” I asked.

Sir frowned. “Devlen was hired for his skills with the sword. We expected you and your magician friend to have a cadre of soldiers with you.” Sir paused.

Blue Eyes’ name was Devlen. Which clan did he belong to?

Before I could ask, Sir continued. “Devlen surprised us when he used his magic. I haven’t seen him since we escaped.” A murderous glint flared in Sir’s eyes. “That was a disaster. But the plan is coming together now. Much nicer than the original.”

Finally, my frozen thoughts thawed as the shock dissipated, allowing fear to flow into the empty places. What part of the plan was I in? “Why—”

“Are you here? I’d thought you’d never ask.” Sir’s cackle increased my unease. He was enjoying himself. “You’re going to help us make orbs.”

“And if I don’t?” I dreaded the answer.

“You will.” Sir’s voice held confidence. “Do you want the painful details? Or vague threats? Or perhaps you would rather be surprised?” His grip on my arm tightened.

I should have run. When I had discovered the trick about Zitora, I should have bolted. Wrong decision. Again. I should have known better. But there was no comfort in should-haves. None.

I asked another question instead of answering Sir. “Why do you want to make orbs?”

“That’s not your concern,” Sir said.

“Why do you need me? You have Tal and Ash; surely they know how to make the orbs.”