I hung back with the wagons. Aides and servants perched on boxes or sat next to the drivers. Five guards on horseback completed the group.
We traveled through Featherstone lands. Rolling green hills and bushy trees dominated the landscape. Wildflowers bloomed in the fields. We passed a few areas where the trees had been chopped down. The Featherstone Clan members used wood to earn a living. Carpenters built houses, furniture and wagons. Woodworkers carved bowls and artwork.
The first night on the road, we stopped at the Azure Inn in a small village called Bluejay’s Eggs. All the towns in the Featherstone Clan’s lands were named for an aspect of birds. Owl’s Hill, Robin’s Nest and Cardinal’s Tree were three of many examples.
Tama secured lodging for us. I would share a room with two other women. As long as I had a bed to myself, I didn’t mind. Having no desire to make small talk with strangers, I returned to my room after dinner, planning to enjoy a few moments alone.
I groaned when someone knocked. Hoping it was a staff member, I palmed my switchblade and asked who was at the door. A mumbled reply about supplies for the washroom. I cracked open the door. Devlen stood in the hallway holding a stack of towels.
21
“GO AWAY,” I SAID TO DEVLEN, CLOSING THE DOOR.
He stuck his foot in the jamb. “Opal, I—”
“Get out.”
“But I—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” I knew he would lie.
“…to explain.”
“I’m done listening to you. Go. Now.” I kicked his foot.
He shoved his way into the room with his shoulder. I backed up. Tossing the towels onto a bed, he crossed his arms against his chest. “I’m not leaving until—”
Snick. I brandished my switchblade. He should have come armed.
“Leave or I’ll stab you,” I threatened.
His lips curved into a half smile. “No, you won’t.”
The old Opal wouldn’t. But not the new girl. Oh no, she was tired of being pushed around. I jabbed the blade toward his neck, aiming for his Adam’s apple. Even though I surprised him, he moved a hair faster than me, blocking the strike.
I stabbed again, he ducked. He blocked another thrust and a fourth, sidestepping away from me. My last strike forced him up against the wall and unable to dodge another attack.
“The doorknob is on your right. Use it,” I said.
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” I shoved my weapon toward his stomach.
He grabbed my wrist with both his hands. We struggled. Using all my strength, I leaned my body into it. I might have won if he didn’t cheat. His fingers pressed. Pain ringed my wrist and shot along my hand, numbing it. My switchblade clanged to the floor.
He gasped. “You really were trying to—”
“Yes.” I yanked my hand, but he clung to it.
“But what about preserving this body for Ulrick?”
“You’ll heal.” I pulled my arm. “Let go.”
“So you can grab your sais and try again?”
“Good idea.” My sais were hooked onto my saddlebags. I punched him in the solar plexus.
He hunched forward, grabbing my free arm. “Stop…it.” He gasped for breath.
I rammed my knee toward him, but he turned his body, so I missed my mark and hit his upper thigh. Twisting, I tried again, but he dug his fingers into my wrists. This time I collapsed to my knees as the pain raced up my arms and through my legs.
“Promise you’ll…stop,” he said.
Wave after wave of burning needles pricked my skin from the inside. How could two little spots cause so much agony? “I’ll stop…for now…I promise.”
He released his grip. I lay back onto the floor, panting.
He sat next to me. “I only came to warn you.”
“Then consider me warned.” I shooed him with a tired arm.
“Don’t you want to know why?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’d believe you anyway.”
He whistled. “You’re nasty.”
“Thank you.”
“Tama and Gressa aren’t doing you any favors by sponsoring you. They plan—”
“To use me to gain control of the supply of glass messengers. Once they have a monopoly of the messengers, they’ll use them as political bribes and other…illicit deeds. Did I get it right?”
Devlen squinted in confusion. “If you knew all this, then why are you here?”
“Everyone wants to gain control of the messengers. The Council, Tama and Gressa, and Vasko Cloud Mist. The Council will pretend I have a vote, and Vasko will mask my lack of power with money and rubies.” I paused. His offer still tempted me. “Tama and Gressa will just take what they want. They seem more…honest to me.”
“You’re insane. What happened to you?”
“You.”
“No. You were still optimistic the last time I saw you.”
I’d hardly call escaping an optimistic endeavor. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is you warned me. Now run along.”
He remained sitting. “Aren’t you curious about why I would risk my position on Councilor Moon’s staff to warn you?”
“No.” I struggled to my feet.
“Do you already know why?” He stood, too.
“You want to save me from them so you can force me to lead you to one of the glass prisons. I’ll release the Warper trapped inside and you can learn how to finish the Kirakawa ritual.”