Standing before Councilor Moon’s door, I imagined sea glass. When I expelled my emotions, I knocked. An aide answered. He fussed about my lack of appointment.

“Tell her I’m here and let her decide if she wants to see me,” I said with authority.

He disappeared through another door. I paced in a modest living area. All the Councilors had offices in the Council building and a residence in the Citadel.

The door swung open and Tama Moon greeted me with a smile. “So good to see you. We were getting worried when no one could find you at the Keep.”

“After the session yesterday, I needed time to think over the Council’s offer.”

“And?”

“I’m going to wait for the counteroffer.”

She laughed. “The Council believes it’s a good idea to have you on the Messenger Committee. In fact, we have ourselves almost convinced it was our idea in the first place.”

“I’m glad.”

“Are you going to stay at the Keep, then?” She kept her tone neutral, but cold calculation filled her eyes.

“No. I decided to go out on my own. Be in control for once.”

“Good for you.”

“Shouldn’t you be trying to talk me out of it? After all, you’re on the Council.”

“In this case, I don’t agree with the Council. As you should be well aware of. I made my opinions clear in Fulgor. Although, at the time, you were feeling rather…charitable toward the Council.”

“Well, the charity is gone. And I like your idea. You had offered to support my business before. Is it still good?”

“I didn’t offer. Gressa made the proposal. And yes, it is still good.”

“Excellent. I would like to set up a workshop in Fulgor, then. Can you let the Council know my decision? Tell them I’m willing to help out whenever they need my special…services. Oh, and ask them to return my diamonds to me. I’m going to need capital.”

She whistled in appreciation. “Considering the Council isn’t going to be happy with you leaving, that’s very bold.”

Bold. I liked it. “I’m being proactive.”

While the boldness still flowed in my blood, I knocked at Zitora’s office. She had ignored me long enough.

“Come in, Opal,” she called through the door.

I strode into the room. Little had changed since I was here almost a year ago. She sat behind her desk as the late-afternoon sun streamed through the window. I stopped before her desk.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Oh! You want to help me now? It’s too late. I’m going to help myself.”

Her gaze flattened and she pressed her lips into a tight line. “What do you want?”

A small voice in the back of my mind warned me to shut up, but I smashed it with a surge of emotion. “To inform you I’m leaving the Keep. I’m not going to work for the Council. Instead, I’m setting up shop with Gressa in Fulgor.”

She kept her body rigid. “Why are you telling me? I’m not your mentor.”

Cold. “I thought you might be happy, considering you and Tama Moon are friends. I’ll be supporting the Moon economy.”

“You can’t trust Gressa or Councilor Moon.”

“Why not?” I waited, maintaining an expectant expression.

“I can’t tell you—”

“Of course not. Why would you tell poor deluded Opal? The one who embarrassed you in front of the Council.”

“That’s enough. Do you really think the Council will just let you go?”

“Why not? You did.”

She stood, but I held my ground.

“Who do you think you are to question my decisions?” she asked.

“I’m Opal Cowan. I used to be your student until you turned your back on me.”

“I distanced myself for your protection.”

“Easy excuse. Tell me the truth for once. Admit it, you’re mad at me for not telling you everything that happened in Ixia.”

“Leave now, Opal. I have work to do.” She settled back into her chair.

“No. I’m not letting you ignore me. I want answers. If not out of anger, then why else did you support Tama’s claim that Ulrick worked undercover? You know it’s a lie.”

“Because Tama did assign him. I talked to her at length. He hadn’t been hit on the head by his sister. Together they visited Tama.” She drew in a breath. “Opal, do you know how ridiculous you’re being? Yelena confirmed it’s impossible for Ulrick and Devlen to switch souls.”

“That’s sweet. You talked to Tama and Yelena. But you never talked to me. We’ve been through a lot together. Don’t I get the same courtesy?”

“Just drop it, Opal. I realize your pride has been injured, but just admit you’ve been tricked and move on.”

“Guess I’m not worth the effort.” I paused. “Since I’m no longer your student, I can disregard your advice. In that instance, you taught me well.”

“What are you doing?” Yelena demanded as soon as I opened my door.

“Packing,” I said, returning to my living area. A few crates rested on the table, and my saddlebags hung over the back of a chair. Packs stuffed with clothes littered the floor. Bearing in mind that I had lived in the Keep for five years, I didn’t own many things.

“Are you crazy?”

“According to you…Yes!” I sorted through a stack of books, making two piles. One to keep, and the other to donate to the incoming apprentice class.