They both had been at the Warper battle when Yelena defeated the Fire Warper. I had met them briefly after crafting the prisons for the souls. Janco had joked and called me the glass warden.

I swung my attention forward. Ari and Janco were obviously part of an undercover operation, and I hadn’t wanted to jeopardize it. Janco knew about my predicament, yet he kept quiet when his partner showed up. I would just have to sit tight.

A wave of relief passed through the men when the Ixian soldiers headed west. We crossed into MD-1 without any trouble. Namir took the Lieutenant’s warning about the coming storm to heart. He pushed the caravan farther than usual, stopping late into the night.

At least there was one person on my side. Five against two seemed better odds than six against one. Plus Janco’s skills with the sword were legendary. He wouldn’t be Valek’s second unless he could fight.

I worried about when Janco needed to follow Namir, leaving me and Devlen alone again. Once we arrived at Icefaren Station, how would I find Kade? Pangs of nervousness echoed in my chest. I suppressed my turmoil back into my glass heart.

The storm also proved to be a good distraction, especially since Namir promised to wake everyone well before dawn. The men collapsed into bed without a word about my situation. Although Devlen insisted on sharing my cot again, I was able to endure his touch by noting Yannis’s proximity.

The next night Devlen and Namir held an intense discussion out of earshot. Devlen’s amused smile and hearty laugh stabbed through me. The chumminess couldn’t be to my benefit. Devlen confirmed my unease when he joined me, sliding under the covers.

“I have a surprise for you,” he whispered.

I tensed. “What is it?”

“Namir’s delivery is to Icefaren Station. He can take us there.”

“But I didn’t see anyone.” Mixed emotions rolled through me. Glad Yannis would be close, but scared about the other boys.

“Did you see inside the buildings?”

“No.” And that would also explain about the bloodstained snow. If it had happened during the hot or cooling season, the snow would have covered the stain by now.

“Well then,” he said. Discussion over.

As I considered this new information, a bit of hope bloomed. Miners at the station meant more people and potential allies.

The next two days followed without incident. We reached the ice sheet as fat snowflakes drifted down. A blanket of dark gray clouds sealed the sky, allowing a pale half-light through. Full darkness would descend by early afternoon.

According to Namir, it could snow for a full day before the killing winds came. The men hurried to switch the wagons’ wheels for wooden skids, making sleds. Dogs were exchanged for the horses.

“No stops until we reach the station,” Namir said.

“How long?” Devlen asked.

“Four hours if we don’t hit any surprises.”

I asked, “Surprises?”

“Snow cats, crevasses, ridges, or if the winds start early.” Namir stared off to the west. “Bad timing.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The trip to the station turned into an ordeal. Big snowflakes soaked into our cloaks, and getting a sled full of sand over ridges involved a lot of muscle from everyone, including me. Each hour of effort meant I drew closer to the station, and I remained the only person not to be too excited by the sight of a cluster of wooden buildings in the distance.

When we arrived, no one braved the weather to come out and greet us. By the time we stored the supplies in the shed and fed the dogs, the wind had increased. Those fluffy flakes became projectiles, stinging exposed skin. Rolling waves of snow encompassed us like a fog and visibility shrank. For once, I was glad of Devlen’s guiding hand on my elbow. Snow blindness took on a whole new meaning.

We tumbled into the main building like an invading army—shouts and curses and stamping feet, surprising the occupants.

I guess I should have known. Should have learned not to be shocked by anything and anyone. But no. My mouth gaped and my thoughts scattered.

Sir and Tal argued with Namir. By Sir’s tone, I guessed our arrival was unexpected.

“You’re not due for another week. And the last time you came, you led the Stormdancer right to us,” Sir said to Namir in anger. “Who did you bring this time?”

They both looked at Devlen with expectation. An explanation was in order.

A rush of movement to my left and I was slammed into the wall. Fists bunched in my cloak and my feet no longer touched the floor.

Tricky. Pure fury burned in his eyes, and I feared for my life. He pulled me toward him and then shoved me back against the wall. My head banged hard enough to blur my vision as pain ringed my neck.

More shouts. Yannis and Devlen yanking on Tricky’s shoulders. He dropped me and I huddled on the floor, thinking about my stupidity. How could I save Kade and Ulrick when I couldn’t even save myself?

Then I began to understand Tricky’s hoarse yells.

“Bitch…has…to…die.” He struggled against four other men. “Nothing…nothing left. She stole all my…magic…let me go.”

Devlen’s fingers dug into Tricky’s collarbone. In moments, the big man slumped to the floor, unconscious.

For a few heartbeats, the men panted and regained their breaths. I counted them. Namir and his three men, Devlen, Sir, Tricky, Tal—the traitor—and Crafty. Yannis hung near me. No Kade or Varun. Ten against two. No way.

“Who the hell are you?” Sir demanded of Devlen.