Spy Glass 3 by Maria V Snyder

Author:Maria V Snyder [Snyder, Maria V]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

I spent the remainder of the day visiting my old friend and

mentor, Aydan. Working with him in his glass shop had been

my lifeline while I had been a student. By the time we had

caught up on news and shared a meal, it was late. My foot-

steps echoed in the empty streets of the Citadel as I returned

to the Keep. Even more time had passed than I realized. I

reached through my pants pocket, grasping the handle of my

switchblade. No real reason to worry as this section of town

was patrolled on a regular basis, but Valek had taught me not

to trust those illusions of safety.

The night stayed quiet. A block from the Keep, a small

furtive movement to my right caught my attention. I spun,

pulled my weapon and froze in midyank. A little girl, too

young to be out on her own at this time of night, stepped

into the lantern light. She reminded me of a wild rabbit. One

move and she would dash away.

I waited for her to speak. She scanned the street before she

met my gaze. Her large blue eyes held fear and determination.

Dirt streaked her face and her corkscrew curls hung past her

shoulders in a tangled mess. She held a stuffed dog to her chest as if it were her shield. Perhaps it was. I recognized the pink bow.

“Where’s my brother?” she asked in a strong, no-nonsense

tone.

I inclined my head toward the Keep. “In the infirmary.”

She suppressed her horrified gasp with amazing speed.

Impressive.

“What did you do to him?” she demanded.

“Nothing. He pulled too much magic and almost died. He’s

suffering from exhaustion.”

She cocked her hip and glared at me. “That’s what that

helper whore said. I didn’t believe her and I don’t believe

you.”

Helper whore? A thousand questions formed in my mind,

Spy Glass

249

but I stif led my curiosity. Instead, I challenged her. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“Yes, I am.”

Bold. I liked this girl. “Then let me prove it to you. Come

with me.”

She stepped back as if I had brandished a weapon. “Why

should I trust you?”

“Because you don’t have anyone else left to trust,” I guessed.

“And you came to me. Why?”

“You were the only one…” She swallowed. “My brother

pushed everyone out. Even me.” She glanced at the stuffed

dog as a glassy sheen coated her eyes. “No one could get into

the building. Except you.” Stabbing an accusatory finger at

me, she asked, “What did you do to him?”

“I kept him from dying.” A light touch of power brushed

my skin. She was too young to have magic, let alone be able to

control it. I glanced around. No one was within sight. Perhaps

it came from the Keep.

She nodded. “Now you’re telling the truth. Can I see my

brother?”

“One

condition.”

Instantly wary, she checked the street as if planning her

escape route. “What is it?”

“You tell me your name and your brother’s name.”

“That’s

two.”

I grinned. “All right, then on two conditions.”

“What do I get in return for the extra condition?” she

asked.

“My

name.”

My offer didn’t produce much enthusiasm from her.

“And a bowl of soup,” I added. “Do we have a deal,

Miss…?” I extended my hand.

After the slightest of hesitations, she clasped it for one quick shake.

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