Thief’s Magic (62 page)

“Maybe he dares not target one sex for fear it will draw notice. Yerge thought he was looking for someone with exceptional abilities.”

“So is it one person or an army he’s after?” Sa-Mica sounded amused.

“Mock me all you like, Dav. Even if you don’t believe there is more to this, you know he is not infallible. If you are right he has let tainted go who immediately set out to corrupt others.”

Sa-Mica sighed. “A second chance is no more than that. He may know what is in a person’s mind when he meets them, but he cannot control their future or their choices.”

“So even Angels have limitations?”

“Maybe. Maybe only he has. He is flesh and bone and blood. I believe he took human form in order to deal with the evil at the Mountain Temple.”

“And it has forced limitations on him? Well, that would explain why he hides. When he arrived I hoped he’d fix more than just the Mountain Temple.” The woman sounded bitter.

“Why do you need more, Mia? He freed you from that place.”

“I
always
expect more. It is never enough for me to be safe when others aren’t, whether by your actions or his or anyone else’s. Didn’t that scar I gave you teach you that?” Sa-Mica didn’t reply. “So where are you off to now? The south, from the looks of it. Why is he sending you there?”

“He … isn’t. I am returning to the Mountain Temple.”

“And the girl? A Fyrian from the look of her. The south is a long way to go for a second life.

“She wants to get as far from here as possible. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“I do. Would you intro—”

“No, Mia.”

“I only want to talk to her.”

“And corrupt her mind with your ideas of reform and rebellion? I don’t think even you would be that cruel. Let her go and find the peace she craves.”

“Very well. It is good to see you, Dav. We should meet more often.”

The sound of fading footsteps followed. Rielle let out a sigh of relief and grabbed the packs. Sa-Mica hurried out of the alley, then started as he saw her.

“How long were you there?” he asked.

“Since the server insisted I leave.” She shrugged in the direction of the shop. “So. The woman who taught me had been released by Valhan.”

He scowled and took his pack from her. “Yes. She is not the only one to betray him.” He looked away, avoiding her eyes. “I am glad he’s sending you to the south.”

“I would never teach anyone magic.”

He turned back. “No, I believe you wouldn’t. But that is not what I fear.” He glanced back at the alley.

“You fear her?”

“I fear her cause. She and other women want him to give them the children they birthed. I sympathise, but I also understand why he has not granted them this. It would mean revealing what happened on the mountain, which would cause such chaos and perhaps endanger other lives.”

“So she doubts his motives. Maybe it’s not so hard, then, to believe he’s recruiting corrupters so he can raise an army.”

He nodded.

“It’s not true, of course.”

“No.” There was doubt in his voice.

She frowned. “But it doesn’t make sense. Who does he need to fight? The Angels have no enemies. Even if they did, they are all powerful. And … wouldn’t fighting use up magic?”

Sa-Mica smiled. “All good, sensible questions Ais Lazuli. This idea that he is looking for someone with exceptional magical ability makes no sense either. I have never seen anyone who could draw magic from such a distance as you did. Yet he sent you away.”

“Unless I’m not exceptional enough.”

He frowned, and she could tell he was considering her words. She placed a hand on his arm.

“That’s not a serious suggestion,” she said. “What is more likely? That an Angel has turned corrupter and is recruiting tainted for a war against an unknown enemy or that people will always draw fabulous and unlikely conclusions when they don’t understand something?”

He sighed and nodded. “You are right. I don’t understand everything, but I know more than they do and I see nothing other than one Angel dealing with one evil and its consequences. And…” he frowned and fell silent.

“See?” She squeezed his arm and let him go. “It’s not a corrupt Angel we have to worry about, it’s whether others believe what this woman is saying and…” She paused as she spotted a man walking towards them. “Is he from the ship?”

Sa-Mica didn’t turn to look. He was staring into the distance, eyes wide but unseeing. Then he cursed and swung around to face the seaman.

“Boarding,” the man said, then turned on his heel and began walking away.

Sa-Mica dropped to one knee and opened his pack. His movements were quick as he dug through the contents and drew out a flat leather envelope.

“Take this. It contains money and the names and addresses of people who will help you.” He pressed it into her hands.

“What? Why are you giving me this?”

He took her arm and pulled her into motion, hurrying towards the ship. “I’m not going with you.”

“But I thought … I thought you lied to her.”

“I did, but I see now that I need to return to Valhan as quickly as possible.”

“I can’t travel alone!”

They reached the ramp that led up to the level of the ship’s deck. He turned and grasped her shoulders, bending to look into her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Rielle. I wish I could escort you, but I can’t. You have money and common sense. Use them. And remember, he said you are allowed to use magic in your own defence.”

“But … why?”

“Because my first loyalty is to him. You are more than capable of finding your way. Go. Find yourself somewhere quiet and live a good life.” He squeezed her arms and smiled. “I wish you all the best, Rielle Lazuli. Goodbye.”

Letting her go, he hoisted his pack and strode away. She watched him quickly negotiate the obstacles of the dock. He did not once look back. All too soon he was gone.
Returning to the Angel.

“Goodbye, Sa-Mica,” she whispered.

Then, shivering from shock and trepidation, she obeyed his last instruction and climbed the ramp to the deck of the ship, and the start of her new life.

Many thanks to the Orbit team and all the foreign language publishing staff, who never fail to transform my stories into wonderful books and are such a pleasure to work with.

Much admiration and gratitude to someone who inspires as well as supports me, my agent, Fran. Thanks, also, to her lovely assistants, and to all the other agents around the world, with an extra one to Kate and Arabella, and Lora.

Much gratitude to my feedback readers, Paul, Fran, Liz, Kerri, Donna and Ellen. A nod and wave must also go to the friends who read and discussed the ideas in the early version of
Angel of Storms
, written waaay back in the nineties, from which this series evolved. I don’t know if they’d recognise the story now, but I’ll always remember their enthusiasm with gratitude.

Finally, but always, thanks to the readers and fans, new and old. I hope you enjoy this new universe I’ve made for you to explore … from the safety of the other side of the page.