17
YELENA
I gaped at Devlen as blood slammed through my heart. Did he just say...? “You know what the poison is?”
“I believe so. But I am not sure how it will help you.”
Relaxing my grip on the teacup before it shattered, I calmed my out-of-control heart rate. “Please explain.”
Devlen set his cup down and sat in the other chair opposite Opal’s desk and between me and Leif. My brother perched on the edge of his seat and Opal leaned forward. All our attention focused on Devlen.
“Your symptoms of being hot and then cold sounds like the effects of a poison called Freeze Burn,” he said. “It is made from the roots of the reedwither plant that grows in the Avibian Plains.”
“How come I’ve never heard of this poison?” I asked.
“Only the Sandseeds know about it, and the plant is so rare, only one was found during my father’s lifetime, but the Sandseed who discovered it refused to divulge the location. According to our stories, it is fatal, but before the victim dies, they suffer those extreme temperature swings you described for a full day.”
Another near miss. The familiar ache of disappointment panged. “It can’t be Freeze Burn. I didn’t die.”
“That’s ’cause it’s you,” Leif said. “You said you expelled most of the poison from your shoulder. Combine that with your healing powers and...voilà! You survived.”
Great. How did this information help me? “Is there a cure?”
Devlen shook his head. “Not that I know. In our stories, everyone died.”
I considered. “If we can find the plant, then perhaps my father can find a cure. Do you know what it looks like and where it grows?”
“All I know is that it has long thin leaves, resembling blades of grass. In fact, it is often mistaken for a patch of crabgrass until you get closer and see that the blades are attached to a red stem. It is said that the Sandseed horses avoid those plants because the roots poison the water sources nearby.”
“Who else knows about the reedwither plant?” Opal asked Devlen.
“The Sandseeds. Not many of them left, though.”
“Less people to interrogate,” Leif quipped.
No one smiled.
“I don’t believe the Sandseeds would share this information with anyone or use the poison to attack Yelena,” Opal said. “They view her as family.”
“I agree,” Devlen said.
My thoughts circled back to Ben Moon and his famous ancestor. Perhaps the knowledge of Freeze Burn had been passed down to Ben in Master Magician Ellis Moon’s book. It wouldn’t be the first time forgotten information had returned to cause major problems—blood magic and the Kirakawa ritual both sprang to mind. Unfortunately, it probably wouldn’t be the last.
“Do you think you can envision the plant so Kiki can pick up on the image?” I asked Devlen. Perhaps she could find it in the plains.
“I can try.”
Devlen accompanied us to the Second Chance Inn. When we left, we promised Opal to return that evening for supper. On the way to the inn, we talked about Devlen’s new family.
“It has been an adjustment,” he admitted. “I am still in shock that Opal wishes to be with me and the fact she married me...” He spread his hands wide. “Plus taking care of two children is a bigger responsibility than I had thought. It is a bit overwhelming at times.”
“And then you have to deal with the crazy in-laws.” Leif smirked.
“Opal’s parents and brother have been very supportive.”
I laughed. “Notice he didn’t defend you, big brother.”
“Shut up.”
“How is Teegan doing at the Keep?” I asked Devlen.
“I was hoping you could tell us. We have only gotten a few letters from him.”
“I haven’t seen him. I don’t spend too much time at the Keep.”
“I thought since Master Jewelrose has taken him on as her student, she would confide in you.”
That I didn’t know. “She hasn’t said anything. Although, I’ve been focused on my own problems.”
He gave me a wry smile. “I understand all too well. When Opal drained my powers from me, I could not think of anything else besides reclaiming my power.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Not at all. But it took me a season to adjust to the loss and another to realize I was much better off without it. She freed me from the addiction—I had not realized just how much that craving controlled my actions. I had done nothing but bad things with my magic and have no wish to return to being that evil man. However, your loss goes beyond yourself. You have done nothing but good things, and if you do not recover your power, the entire world will suffer.”
Leif huffed. “I think you’re being melodramatic.”
“Aren’t you like the pot calling the kettle black or something?” I asked.
“Pardon me, oh great one. I forgot my place as a mere footnote in the history of Sitia.”
Talk about being melodramatic.
“Is he—”