The endearment grated on my nerves. My childhood was over. All illusions and dreams were worn away, exposing the ugly reality.

“No matter what she desires, I don’t plan to give her control. This is just a temporary arrangement until I become solvent.”

“Plans can change,” Bain said. Sadness hung on him like one of his robes. “You surprised the Council into agreeing to this…arrangement. Once they reconvene in the cooling season, be prepared for them to enact a law or make a counteroffer to bring you back here.”

“They would actually try a legal route and not threaten me?” I tapped my chest as if shocked by the notion.

He ignored my sarcasm. “Try, yes. But will use other…methods to get what they want.”

“Ahh…That’s more like it. I was beginning to worry my views of the Council had been wrong.”

Bain stood without warning. He leaned forward, bringing his face close to mine. “You are playing with dangerous people. The Council can be an ally for you to use if your arrangement with Gressa fails to work. But they won’t support you if you make them your enemy.”

I sorted through my encounters with the Council. “Since they haven’t ever supported me, I think I’m okay without them.” I waved bye and left his office before he could reply.

Bain’s comment about allies reminded me of Vasko Cloud Mist’s offer. I found Pazia outside her room, loading a wagon.

“I didn’t realize how much stuff I bought this past year. I filled all the extra space with junk,” Pazia said.

I helped her carry a few crates from her quarters.

“Did you have a chance to consider my father’s offer?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She stopped pushing a stubborn box. “Well?”

I explained my intentions. Barreling over her arguments before she could voice them, I said, “However, if the arrangement doesn’t go well with them, I’d like to come to Ognap and work with you and your father. Do you think he’d be agreeable?”

“He’s used to getting his way, so he doesn’t deal well with rejection. He’ll probably sweeten the deal and try to tempt you to work with us. I think as long as he can buy messengers from you there won’t be any hard feelings.”

“Think?”

She shrugged. “My father is difficult to read. If he feels a certain deed is a personal slight, he’ll be very upset and vindictive. If he sees the action as just business, he’s fine. The difficult part is knowing which way he’ll go. He’s not consistent and I haven’t figured out a pattern.”

Vasko’s counteroffer arrived late in the day. I finished packing and saying goodbye. Councilor Moon’s retinue would leave tomorrow at first light. Composing a note to Kade, I planned to send it overland—a cowardly deed. By the time he responded, I would be in Fulgor. Too late to change anything.

One of Vasko’s associates knocked on my door. I debated arming myself with my sais, but decided to hide my switchblade in my pocket instead.

When I opened the door, he handed me a sheet of parchment. The expression on his wide face remained impassive as he said, “I’ll wait here for your reply.”

I scanned the document. Pazia was right. Vasko had sweetened the deal so much my teeth ached. “I need time to think it over.”

The man didn’t move.

“I’ll need to sleep on it. I’ll send—”

“I’ll wait here.”

“Fine.” I closed the door.

Carrying the deal over to the lantern on the table, I read the offer. Straightforward and with no fine print, it listed all the items he would provide for me. Glass factory, workers, supplies and sales force remained the same, but he added a house for me and a stable for Quartz to live in, a generous salary and two of his finest rubies each year. All in exchange for glass messengers.

Every aspect of the business would be taken care of. My job would be to produce them. He even left a space for me to write in a yearly total of messengers. I could write ten or a hundred. My choice.

The room tilted and spun. I groped for a chair, feeling light-headed. Resting my forehead on my arms, I sucked in deep breaths.

The downside of the contract would be not having a say in who bought them, and not being able to give a few away for free, bringing me back to where I started. The Messenger Committee had decided who they sent messengers to and how they were used. Working for Vasko, I would be in the same situation except I would have a house, money and rubies.

Though tempting, I couldn’t relinquish control of my messengers. They were all I had. On unsteady legs, I shuffled to the door. I handed the man—who hadn’t moved an inch—the parchment. “Please tell Vasko I decided not to sign the agreement, but I might change my mind in the future.”

He left without saying a word.

I thought saying goodbye to Mara had been difficult, but it resembled a party compared to this morning. Joining Councilor Moon’s caravan just after dawn, I focused on the transfer of my crates and bags into one of Tama’s wagons. When I saw my possessions nestled in with hers, I felt queasy.

My stomach continued to sour as we left the Citadel through the east gate. The trip to Fulgor would take six days, two days longer because of the slower pace of the wagons.

Tama appeared to enjoy the ride despite the rising heat and humidity. She led the caravan along with two guardsmen. She smiled and called out instructions with a light tone. Her white horse shone in the sunlight, almost matching Tama’s hair. Gressa rode in a carriage behind Tama. I suspected the cushioned coach was meant for the Councilor, although Gressa had no qualms about making it her own.