“Yes. The shield blocks magic, but not physical objects.”
And magic would work inside a null shield bubble as long as the magic wasn’t directed at something outside the bubble’s walls. “He’d have to channel the power through his body and to the ends of his fingertips. Difficult to do, but not impossible. That is if the shield doesn’t go through his hand, but rather flows around it like invisible water.”
“Would Leif know?”
“If he doesn’t, it wouldn’t be hard to find out.”
Tugging his sleeve down, Valek fiddled with the cuff. “Speaking of hands, it was interesting about the illusion Rika tried to trick you with, and how you noticed her fingers didn’t match the rest. Do you think it was the physical contact that negated the magical effects?”
With everything that had happened since then, I’d forgotten about that. “If it did, then I would have been able to see her whole body under the illusion and not just her hand.”
“Unless it’s just the part that is in direct contact with you. Perhaps what’s blocking your magic will block others’, as well.”
Interesting indeed. Could there be a bright side after all? “I can experiment with that when I’m back in Sitia.” I’d love to neutralize the bastard with a touch. Thinking about Owen... “What happens after we deal with the Storm Thieves? Are we going to Sitia?”
Valek’s expression hardened. “If I leave Ixia, it will be an act of treason.”
“You said the Commander is under Owen’s influence.”
“I know, but I’m still hoping to repair my relationship with the Commander.” He stepped close and cupped my cheek with his hand. “It’ll never be the same as before, but I don’t wish to destroy any chance I have to retire on a positive note.”
“Retire?” That was new.
“Someone has to change diapers while you’re saving the world, love.”
My heart melted over his willingness to retire for me and the baby. “Me? Save the world? So you’re a comedian and an expert diaper changer. Wow, did I hook a keeper or what?”
He bowed. “You have the total package.”
“I’d swoon, except I’m guessing I don’t have time.”
“No. The boys will be here soon to escort us to the stables.” Valek pointed to the clothes I held. “You’ll need to change into an Ixian adviser’s uniform in order to blend in once we’re away from the castle.” Valek retrieved his own pack and sorted through the contents.
As I added the solid black pants and shirt with two red diamonds stitched onto the collar to my pack, I mulled over our conversation. “What will I do then? I can’t return to the castle and I’m not going to sulk about Ixia, hiding.” And do nothing.
Valek didn’t answer. And I realized why he remained quiet.
“You don’t really need me at the coast. It makes more sense for me to travel to Sitia. Then I can experiment, consult with Leif and my father. It—”
“No. Too dangerous.”
“It’s dangerous to give Owen time to set his plans in motion.”
“We have time.”
“How do you know?”
Valek folded his black sneak suit. “We have until the fire festival.” Gathering an impressive number of knives, Valek slid them into various pockets in his uniform and into hidden places in his knapsack. “It’s not like the Commander to make an execution a public spectacle. Just hanging the man for abusing his power is enough of a deterrent. News would eventually spread to even the remotest post.”
A tendril of unease snaked around my heart. “You think the Commander has another reason for requiring all his soldiers to be at the fire festival?”
He met my gaze. “Yes.”
“And this reason includes Owen?”
“Yes.”
When I considered how close Castletown was to the Sitian Citadel, the tendril thickened and squeezed. “They’re going to invade Sitia!”
14
VALEK
“We need to warn Sitia,” Yelena said.
“Of what? Our gut feeling? We’ve no proof, love.”
“But the Commander’s army might invade.”
“And they might not. Besides, I’d hang for treason if I warned Sitia of an attack.”
“I won’t.”
“You wouldn’t hang for treason, but the Commander would consider you an enemy of Ixia and send an assassin after you. We’ll just have to ruin Owen’s plans well before the fire festival.”
“How? We need to consult with Leif and my father about those Harman saplings. And the null shields.”
Valek loved watching Yelena puzzle out a problem. Her brow crinkled and he suppressed the desire to smooth the ridge with a kiss. “I’ve a loyal and skilled agent who is going to deliver messages for us. Once Leif responds to your missive, she’ll bring it to us in MD-1.”
Yelena frowned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Where in MD-1?”