“No. I want to pay them back before we start selling them to others,” I said.
“What about these orders?” He shook the wad.
“Here,” I said. “I’ll take them.”
He glanced at Tama in alarm.
“Don’t waste your time with paperwork, Opal,” Tama said. “You’re the talent. Let Fenton deal with the hassle of shipping details and time schedules.”
Ah. The first reasonable request. If I balked, she would be suspicious, and giving in too fast would also be viewed with wariness. “I’d like to approve who receives the messengers. We don’t want them getting into the wrong hands.”
“I assure you that won’t happen,” Gressa said. “There are a limited number of people who can afford them and who have a magician on staff. The Council won’t let their relay-station magicians moonlight. I’m sure once the word is out, graduating magicians won’t apply for government positions and will seek employment in the private sector.” Her tight smile failed to reach her eyes. “Opal would be considered a trendsetter.”
“I’d still like to see the list,” I said.
“Fine,” Tama said. “When you’re done with the Council’s order, Fenton will go over the list with you.”
Dismissed, Fenton and I left. He hurried away as soon as we crossed the outer door. I used the opportunity of unescorted freedom to explore the Councilor’s Hall. Eve had been banned from accompanying me into the Hall. Security insisted I would be safe within these walls. By her expression, I had known the slight was another one of those odd developments.
The vast lobby occupied the ground level under the dome, which hung ten stories above. Next to this open area was the core of the building. A grand staircase connected all the floors. The landings on each level had a magnificent view of the lobby.
A large kitchen and a variety of utility rooms filled the rest of the ground floor. I remembered the kitchen door Devlen and I had escaped through. It led to an empty alley and would be perfect for nighttime use.
Tama’s and Gressa’s well-guarded offices spanned the entire first floor. I had seen the third-floor offices when Yelena and Master Jewelrose had been assigned to protect Councilor Moon. My explorations therefore started with the second floor.
As I wove my way up to the tenth level, I found nothing but offices, conference rooms, washrooms and a few “guest” rooms like the one I had been locked in. Workers scurried and labored at desks. No one paid me any real attention until I reached the top floor.
Two guards stood on the landing, protecting Tama’s and Gressa’s suites. They broadcast their displeasure. I apologized, asked for directions and returned to the ground floor. When I left the Hall, security checked my name off a list, which meant I couldn’t hide in the building until everyone left for the night.
Eve joined me as I walked toward the glass factory.
“I was beginning to worry,” she said.
“Why?” I asked.
“There have been a few…people who have gone in and have never come out.”
“Do they have holding cells?” My explorations hadn’t been as thorough as I’d wanted.
“Not really, but there is a tunnel underground. It’s supposed to be used by the Councilor and her staff to escape during emergencies.”
“Do you know where it goes?” It could be useful.
“No one except the Councilor and Captain Alden should know where it starts and ends. It’s to keep the staff from fleeing without her.” She shrugged. “But if the Councilor wants to break her own rule and tell her aides, then so be it.”
I considered. “All the Councilor Halls in Sitia should have tunnels, including the Citadel’s.”
“They do.” Eve put her hand on my arm, slowing me down. “This information isn’t well known, Opal. I’m telling you because…” She touched her sword’s handle. “Because I have a feeling you might need to use it.”
A twirl of fear spun up my back. “Have you heard or seen something I missed?”
She hesitated for a moment. “No. Call it soldier’s intuition. This whole situation—” Eve gestured to me and the surrounding buildings “—reeks. And Nic agrees. But don’t worry, we have your back.”
I wished I believed her.
I practiced in stages. The first night, I climbed out the window and scaled down the wall to the ground, then returned to my room without alerting the guard outside the apartment. For the second night, I crept around the dark town, staying in shadows and avoiding the three soldiers patrolling the streets. I repeated ghosting on the third night, but I tripped climbing into my room and landed with a loud thump.
Yanking the blanket from my bed, I wrapped it around my black clothes. I pulled my hair tie out and mussed my hair.
The door flew open. Nic rushed in with his sword drawn. “Hold it right there!”
“It’s me,” I said. “Sorry, I knocked the table over.”
He sheathed his sword. “I should look around just in case.”
I followed him as he checked each room. Moonlight shone through the windows. Unless clouds blocked the sky, I would have to suspend my nocturnal activities for a few nights until the full moon passed.
“You came in quick,” I said. “How did you unlock the door so fast?”
Teeth flashed. “Once you go to bed, I unlock the door. No sense wasting time if you’re attacked.”