“The Councilor needs two bodyguards with her all the time. How many teammates do you have?”
“Our team has twelve. I’ll talk to Captain Alden about our short-term reassignment, and I’ll work up a watch schedule.”
Nic groaned. “Don’t put me on night shift or I’ll die of boredom.”
“What’s next?” Eve asked, ignoring her partner. Just like her fighting style, she didn’t waste energy or time.
“Weeding out the security staff. Can you do a little digging into their histories? Find out who’s trustworthy?”
“I can get rid of half of them for you right now,” Nic said. “When the Councilor returned, she wanted this place full of soldiers. We couldn’t provide the manpower, so they hired people with no training or previous experience just to have warm bodies here.”
“Great. Make me a list,” I said.
“Captain Alden can investigate the rest for you,” Eve said.
Nic tapped his finger on the chair’s arm. “I hope you realize you’re not going to be popular once word spreads.”
“I’m not here to make friends,” I said. “Besides, I’m temporary. Once we have the right people in place, we can all go back to normal.” Except, I didn’t know what normal would be. Since my sister Tula had been kidnapped and murdered over six years ago, nothing in my life had been normal.
Dari and the Councilor’s personal bodyguards were the first to go. Nic and Eve returned for the night shift and handed me a list of names.
“Good or bad?” I asked.
“The riffraff,” Nic said. “Can I give them the boot? I always wanted to be in charge.”
I scanned the names, but didn’t recognize any. “No. Faith Moon will handle that unpleasant task.” I glanced up from the paper. “Are you ready to be reacquainted with the Councilor?”
“I showered,” Nic said.
“Did you put on clean undergarments?” I asked.
“Yep. Got my best pair on. No holes. Do you think she’ll want to check?” He grinned with wolfish delight.
“Eve, I think you should do all the talking.”
“Yes, sir.”
I knocked and waited for Tama’s faint response before entering. The Councilor’s back was to us as she pulled employee files from a drawer, sorting them. Her office was long and thin. Narrow stained glass windows striped the side walls and stretched up to the ceiling two stories above our heads. The sitting area was near the door and across from an oval conference table. Opposite the entrance, her U-shaped desk faced a wide picture window.
The sunlight faded, reminding me of the need to light the lanterns. My stomach grumbled. I hadn’t eaten since this morning. When Tama reached a stopping point, she turned and faced us.
I introduced the soldiers, emphasizing their help in Hubal. Her stiff demeanor relaxed, and she smiled at them when I explained they would be guarding her tonight.
“Finally,” she said. “A good night’s rest!”
While they talked, I lit the lanterns. The cold season’s nights arrived fast, dropping a curtain of darkness with little warning. When I passed my friends, I brushed against magic. I paused and stood behind them. Trying not to be obvious, I rested my hands on the backs of their chairs. The hairs on my arms pricked. A web of power surrounded them. Her magician must be eavesdropping, but I couldn’t be sure. I now understood Valek’s frustration.
Not wanting to upset Tama, I kept quiet as Nic and Eve left to take up position outside her office door.
“Make sure you introduce them to Faith,” Tama said. “She’s the only person I allow in my private suite. I keep Council business and my personal life separate, but with living in the Hall…” She wrapped her arms around her waist, turning to stare out the window.
I wondered if she looked at her flickering refection or the blackness of the night. My image stood beside her, but it didn’t waver. Odd.
She turned to me. “Where are you staying?”
“At the Second Chance Inn.”
“You can live in the assistant’s apartment on the ninth floor once Dari leaves.”
“I’d rather not.”
She tried to hide her disappointment.
I rushed to explain. “Eventually, we’ll find you a permanent assistant. And I should be out there—” I pointed to the window “—listening to the tavern gossip, getting a feel for the citizens’ moods and complaints for you. If I stayed here, I’d never leave and we’d miss the opportunity to connect with the townspeople.”
“That’s smart, Opal. Your experiences have made you stronger and more confident. While I’m a mess. I can’t make decisions and I’m terrified another magician will…”
“No magician will hurt you. The man who switched your soul with Akako was a Warper. He used blood magic. And the Warpers who know how to use it are all locked up in your prison. The magician downstairs…Zebb?”
She cringed, then nodded.
“Was he sent by Master Bloodgood?” I asked.
“Yes. Bain assigned every Council member a magician capable of erecting a null shield around them for protection.”
“And Bain would only send a trustworthy person. You’re a Councilor. One of only eleven and all critical to Sitia. Your safety is of the utmost importance.”
“Really?” Tama shot back. “Then how come not one of them, Master Magician or Councilor—the same people I’ve known and worked with for years. None of them even questioned Akako when she attended Council sessions in my stolen body. When she voted on policy and laws. Not one!”
“She was protected by a null shield,” I tried to explain.
“That only blocks magical attacks. We have different personalities. How could they not suspect something was wrong?”
I swallowed the huge knot in my throat. “They knew something wasn’t right. They probably worried about it, and they also probably found logical explanations for all your new quirks.”
Tama remained doubtful. “Come on. They’re intelligent men and women.”
“You called me smart. Do you believe it?”
“Of course.”
“I wasn’t smart enough to figure out Devlen’s soul was in Ulrick’s body, and I was dating Ulrick.” I told her my story. “He was bolder, more confident, and there were other clues, as well. But I didn’t even question him. I justified each and every one. Try not to be so hard on the Council and Master Magicians. I’m sure they feel horrible, and I’d bet my sister’s favorite skirt that Bain sent you the finest protector.”
Her lips parted, but no words escaped. I couldn’t tell if she thought I was an idiot or if she pitied me. Good thing I didn’t tell her that Devlen had managed to do what Ulrick couldn’t while we dated. Sleep with me.
“I’ll have to think about it,” she said.
“That’s a start.” I said good-night and moved to leave.
“Opal?” She touched my shoulder.
I stifled a yelp as magic burned through the fabric of my shirt.
“Thanks for sharing your story.”
I nodded because if I opened my mouth I would cry out.
“See you tomorrow.” She pulled her hand away.