“We will consider it,” Councilor Greenblade said. “In the meantime, we have decided to hire you as a staff member of the Magician’s Keep. You’ll be in charge of the glass factory and can train students to assist you while you craft the messengers. This way, you’ll also be available to assist with any magical problems that arise, like an out-of-control magician.”

Councilor Zaltana added, “And living in the Keep will keep you safe from any more attempts on your life or from revenge seekers.”

“Thank you for the job offer, Councilors and Master Magicians. I will consider it.”

Another wave of disconcertion rolled around the U. I didn’t wait for them to form a response. “And, as you’re considering my request to be on the Messenger Committee, I wanted to let you know there won’t be any messengers made for you unless I’m on the committee.”

The rumble grew louder as Councilors conversed among themselves.

“Are you threatening to stop creating the messengers?” Councilor Cloud Mist asked me.

“No, sir. I just won’t make them for you. The messengers are my creations. Since I’ve been busy with my studies, I haven’t had time to be a part of how they are distributed and used. I’m trying to rectify that oversight now.”

Tama Moon studied me with a shrewd expression. She nodded in approval when I met her gaze. After all, this had been her idea.

“We could force you, Opal,” Councilor Krystal said.

“You could try.” I kept my voice steady despite the spinning of my heart.

Arguments erupted and discussions sounded, filling the hall with an angry buzz. Master Bloodgood restored order with a bang of his gavel.

“We will take a short break, and then discuss Opal’s counteroffer. Opal, you’re dismissed.”

Pleased by my courage, I left. Footsteps sounded behind me and I turned, reaching for my blade. Yelena paused. I relaxed my stance.

“You’re jumpy. Do you really think someone would attack you in the Council building?” she asked.

“Yes. Weren’t you listening? I just gave the Council an ultimatum. I’d feel safer at a travel shelter than in here right now.”

“I think you did the right thing. You should have been put on the Messenger Committee from the get-go.”

“Good to know I have one person on my side.” I smiled, but she remained serious, appraising me with her striking green eyes as if she read my thoughts.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“I wanted to tell you before…” She frowned and spun her snake bracelet around her wrist. “I did some research…”

“And?”

She met my gaze. “Opal, it’s impossible for anyone to switch souls. Ulrick is Ulrick Cowan. Not Devlen, a Daviian Warper.”

20

“COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?” I ASKED YELENA, CERTAIN I’D MISSED a vital hint.

She touched my arm. “I tried switching souls. And it didn’t work.”

I gaped at her, failing to grasp her words. “What do you mean tried?”

She steered me to a bench and sat beside me. “You have many supporters, Opal. Leif and Bain volunteered to help me experiment. I moved Leif’s soul to Bain. Both souls stayed in Bain’s body, but when I moved Bain’s soul to Leif, they automatically flipped back.”

Her words bounced in my mind. I refused to grasp them. “There must be another way.”

“I searched Bain’s books, and read everything I found on blood magic, but I didn’t see anything about switching souls. I talked with Zitora at length. Ulrick’s telling the truth.”

“Did you talk with Kade and Janco?”

“Of course. They both believe you, and reported Ulrick’s horrendous behavior. They couldn’t offer any proof, and I can’t find any. And you know how good I am about finding things.” She tried to give me a wry grin, but it resembled a grimace.

I finally understood. She no longer believed me, and neither did Leif and Bain. Pain burned deep in my chest. The same unrelenting torment as grief. I muttered a few words to Yelena, then bolted from the building.

I had no memory of where I went or what I did. Tricky could have caught me and I would have sliced open my wrist for him. I would have welcomed an assassin. I wandered and suffered. Conversations with Ulrick and Devlen replayed over and over and over in my mind. Had I been duped? How could Ulrick know those pressure points? How could he use them? What about my conversation with Ulrick in Ognap?

Darkness came and went. Then a thought surfaced. Strange things had happened with magic. Yelena’s Soulfinding abilities for one. All the history books about Soulfinders had been wrong. Yelena discovered they had been Soulstealers. She trusted herself, and eventually accepted who she was, changing everyone’s negative perception about Soulfinders.

I had been determined to prove Devlen had switched with Ulrick. Just because Yelena didn’t believe me didn’t mean I had to give up. I knew Devlen’s soul resided in Ulrick’s body. When I had drained him of all his magic, I felt his essence through the glass orb. I believed in myself.

To help solidify my resolve, I envisioned myself as a piece of thick sea glass. Worn by the water and sand, I was no longer shiny and new. Innocence and naiveté rubbed off by life, I had broken off from the rest and tumbled in the waves by myself.

I banished all the doubts and the pain of betrayal, replacing it with cold, hard determination.