“And almost all died. Of the Masters, only Ellis and Rivana survived. Had they deployed the Ice Moon, not a single soul would have been lost.”

“Bain indicated that there had been a great risk in using the Ice Moon. It could have backfired.”

“There was no danger.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“I found Ellis’ notes and read through them. He was a genius. The other Masters were cowards.

And now the Commander has the Ice Moon, believing he is keeping Ixia safe by preventing us from using it against Ixia. He has no idea that he has the single most powerful weapon against magicians.”

“Since he doesn’t know, it’s safe with him,” I said.

Owen scoffed. “Would you give a knife to a small child who doesn’t know it can cut skin? No.

The Commander could accidently trigger the Ice Moon. Or he could learn its true nature and do what he most desires-rid the world of magic.”

Part 7

Locked in the prison cell, Valek couldn’t do anything to help Leif. He watched as the female magician lunged at him with her switchblade. But she stopped her knife’s thrust in mid-motion, then placed the blade on her own throat. By the quaver in her arms, Valek guessed Yelena had taken control of the female magician’s body and soul. Handy to have a Soulfinder as a heart mate.

Leif exhaled and shot Valek a pointed look. Valek knew his concern. Yelena wouldn’t be able to last long. When the guards slumped to the floor, appearing to be asleep, he knew they would have only seconds to act. The magician, or rather, Yelena threw the switchblade toward him. He snatched it as she collapsed.

“Move,” he ordered Leif.

Leif didn’t hesitate to bolt. The guards already stirred. Once Leif slammed the cell door, they surged to their feet, yelling.

“Here.” Through his bars, Valek handed Leif the switchblade. “Jam the tip in the lock and break it off. Quickly”

“Why?” Leif asked.

“They have keys.”

“Oh.” He grunted with the effort, but managed to wedge the steel tip inside the locking mechanism before the magician could use her key. A temporary measure.

Valek expected her to attack Leif with her magic, but remembered the null shield around Leif’s cell. About time one of those blasted things worked in his favor.

Leif looked at Valek’s cell. “How do we-”

“Go find my clothes,” Valek said. “I have a full set of lock picks in them.”

“Shirt or pants?”

He smiled. “Either one.”

Laughing, Leif went to search. He left the door to the small prison ajar. Valek breathed in the fresh air for a moment as he considered his new neighbors. A couple of the guards tried to unlock the cell door, but the magician sat on Leif’s mattress. During the ruckus, her hood had fallen back.

While she might talk like a Sandseed, she resembled a Moon clan member. Blond hair so light, it could be mistaken for white matched her large silver-colored eyes. Her pale skin could easily blend in in Ixia. Fear lurked in her gaze, and he wondered what Yelena had said to her. Probably threatened to send her soul to the fire world. As far as threats went, Yelena couldn’t be outdone.

People might risk pain and even death for a cause, but spending eternity in the fire world was just too big a price to pay.

The magician remained quiet, but Valek couldn’t contain his curiosity.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She wouldn’t answer.

“How did you get involved with Owen?” he tried.

Again she kept silent, but her gaze flicked to her hands. They were clasped together in her lap.

She wore a bright ruby ring on her right middle finger and a heart-shaped diamond ring on the pinkie of her left.

“Are you and Owen Moon married or just heart mates?” he asked.

A slight movement in her shoulders revealed her surprise, but otherwise her expression stayed neutral. Impressive.

“You are married. Sitians are more apt to make their unions official, and they like to have an excuse to have a party.” He tapped a finger on his lips. “You’re a few years younger than him, but since you’re both magicians, you probably met him while attending the Magician’s Keep.”

Her body language once again betrayed her. Valek was three for three.

Footsteps shuffled and he turned his attention to the noise. Leif backed into view. He held his hands out.

“I told you they were professionals,” Leif said. Moving backward, he was followed by three men who aimed their swords at Leif’s chest.

Valek groaned inward. More problems and delays.

“Move back,” the man on the left ordered Valek. “Or I’ll skewer your friend.”

Valek considered the threat. “Do you plan to wound, maim or kill him?” he asked the guard.

“Threats should be specific in order to have the maximum impact.”

The man just stared at him.

“Skewer is just too vague. I think if you say, ’Stand back or I’ll stab him in the stomach,’ then I have an idea about how serious you are. After all, Leif’s stomach is his favorite body part so that’s a decent threat.”

“Don’t give him any ideas,” Leif said in a low growl.

“Move,” the guard said.

“All right, I’m moving.” As Valek backed away he cupped his left elbow with his right hand.

When they opened the door, he said to Leif, “I should have let them skewer you.” He huffed. “It was a simple task. Did you surrender right away or did you at least find my clothes?”