He noted the woman’s speech patterns. Her word choice reminded him of Moon Man. Strange.

Most of the Sandseed clan had been killed and he couldn’t imagine one of the survivors working for Owen Moon.

“Drop your weapons, now,” she ordered.

Escape would be difficult, but not impossible. But there was no guarantee he would be able to follow them to Leif once he escaped. And what if they used a glass messenger to report his involvement and they cut Leif’s arms off before he could reach him? If he surrendered, they’d take him to Leif and then they’d both escape.

Valek slowly set his daggers on the floor and held his hands up.

“And the rest,” she said.

He removed a few more weapons, but left the darts, lock picks and a few other surprises in place.

She ordered him to turn around and put his hands on the wall. Doing as instructed, Valek knew exactly what would happen next. Even though he braced for the blow, the impact sent him to his knees as blackness claimed him.

#

A dagger of pain stabbed him between the eyes. Valek groaned and touched the back of his head, fingering a tender fist-sized lump. Nausea churned in his stomach. He lay still to keep from losing his supper.

“At least you’re not dead,” Leif said. “Although after a few meals in here, you’ll wish you were.”

Valek opened his eyes. He was in a cell comprised of one stone wall with bars along the remaining three. Beyond his door was a wide walkway and another stone wall. The walkway ended at a set of metal doors on his left. Lanterns hung along the far wall, illuminating the narrow prison. From his location, he counted three cells in total. The configuration was unfamiliar.

Leif stood in the adjoining cell on his right, watching him with a semi-amused expression. Purple bruises and half-healed cuts marked his face. He wore a blue coverall that resembled a prison uniform.

“If you’re my knight in shining armor, I’m screwed,” Leif said.

Careful not to jar his head, Valek pushed into a sitting position. He was getting too old for this nonsense. Valek also wore a blue coverall, and a quick check confirmed that none of his own clothing remained. Leif may have a point about being screwed.

“They’re professionals,” Leif said. “Terrible cooks, but they’re smart.”

“What about your magic?” Valek asked.

“I have the deluxe accommodations. Slop pot, damp walls, straw bedding and a null shield.”

“Considerate of them.” He scanned the small area, searching for possible ways to escape.

“They won’t tell me anything. What’s going on?” Leif asked.

By the time Valek finished explaining, Leif paced his cell in agitation. “She can’t give him the Ice Moon. She knows that. Right?”

Concerned about listeners, Valek tapped his ear then switched to the sign language he had taught Leif. He motioned that Yelena was well aware of the danger. Worry over her reaction to the news of his capture flared. Even if they escaped, Owen could still lie to her.

We have to get out of here, Leif replied.

That’s the idea.

Do you have a plan?

I’m working on it.

Leif didn’t look reassured. Work faster.

A clang of a heavy bolt being pulled rang out. Fresh air swept in for a moment before the door slammed shut. Valek jumped to his feet and moved close to the bars of his cell. Five armed guards preceded a familiar cloaked figure. The woman held a glass fox.

He cursed those magical communication devices under his breath. Not only did they put Ixia at a major disadvantage, but they complicated this situation.

The guards kept well out of his reach. Damn. Valek strained to see the woman's face, but couldn’t.

“Your heart mate will not believe us about your capture,” she said. “Seeing is believing.”

With the magic inside the glass, Valek guessed Yelena could see him through the woman’s eyes.

He crossed his arms and scowled, drumming his fingers on his biceps. His actions weren’t random, and he hoped Yelena remembered the signals.

After a few moments, she snapped her fingers. The guards unlocked Leif’s cell door and rushed him. They pinned him to the wall as the woman entered. She pulled a switchblade from her pocket.

Triggering the blade, she advanced on Leif. “Now to show Yelena what happens when she questions us.”

Part 5

Seeing Valek through Owen’s mind, I stifled my desire to throttle the magician. Owen had been telling the truth. Valek had been caught and he looked really pissed off. He tapped his fingers on his arm, signaling me. Since I was connected through Owen, I would have to decipher Valek’s message later.