27

“OPAL.”

I jumped and turned around. Gressa stood in the doorway.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to snoop in other people’s mixing rooms?” She studied me as if seeking a sign of guilt.

“Just looking for more innovations. Your factory is a wonder.” I hoped appealing to her ego would throw her off the scent.

“It is the only factory of its kind.” Sweeping in to hook her arm around mine, she drew me out. “Let me show you my new hopper bins for sand.”

In a whirl, she finished the tour. Ulrick and I were dismissed without fanfare. We stood out on the street for a moment amazed by the speed of events.

“She didn’t even offer us anything to drink,” Ulrick said. “Not once did she ask any questions about you or me or our family. Sorry to put you through that. I don’t think I’ll visit her again.” He looked at me. “Something’s wrong. I can see it in your eyes.”

How to word my discovery without sounding accusing?

Ulrick grabbed my arm with alarm. “It can’t be that bad. Can it?”

I tried the straightforward method. “I found gypsum crystals in your sister’s mixing room.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Damn.” He pulled me along as he walked away from the factory. “Maybe it’s not hers? No. She would never share her space.”

“Maybe she viewed it as a challenge to create a glass resembling diamonds. Perhaps she doesn’t know what they’re being used for.” I tried to apply logic.

“I’d agree with the challenge, but I’m not so sure about the ignorance.” He remained quiet during the trip back to the guest quarters.

He stopped outside the building. A gamut of emotions washed over his face before he looked at me with a painful determination. “We need to know how involved she is.”

“Should we tell Yelena and Master Jewelrose?”

“Not yet. Opal, she’s family. Let me talk to her first.”

“Sounds fair. What if she’s part of the Councillor’s sister’s plot?”

“Then we see if she’ll help collect evidence against the sister in exchange for a lighter sentence.”

“Will she agree to that?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“That’s my father’s line.” I didn’t know what else to say. Ulrick faced a difficult task.

“Smart man, your father.”

Ulrick returned to Gressa’s shop while I finished gathering supplies. I worried when the sun set and Ulrick hadn’t returned. As time elapsed, my imagination created a series of horrible scenarios, from being robbed in the city to murdered by Gressa. I convinced myself Ulrick was in dire straits.

Mara’s comments once again nagged me as I paced the room. What do you regret? Yes, Mara, I regret letting Ulrick go alone. I regret dragging him into trouble. I regret being distracted by Kade and taking Ulrick for granted. Are you happy now, Mara?

I couldn’t wait any longer. Shoving my sais in my cloak, I grabbed a handful of bees, raced from my room and collided with a messenger. We landed in a heap. So much for the appearance of a heroic rescue. I helped him to his feet, apologizing.

“Isn’t the first time and won’t be the last,” the messenger said. “I’ve been run over by much worse.” The man peered around the hallway. “Can you tell me where Opal Cowan’s rooms are?”

“I’m Opal.”

The messenger looked pleased. “Good timing, then. I love it when that happens. Tracking people down is no fun.” He handed me an envelope and was on his way.

I recognized Ulrick’s tight writing. Taking the message back inside, I opened the note. He wrote his sister was very upset and wanted him to spend the night. He thought by morning she would agree to help Master Jewelrose and Yelena.

Relief melted my fears. I sagged on the couch and decided not to take Ulrick for granted anymore.

Ulrick woke me early the next morning. His hair was disheveled and his clothes were wrinkled. He frowned.

“What happened?” Alarmed, I sat up.

“She escaped. Fed me a sleeping draft and was gone by morning. I’m such an idiot. I fell for the whole baby sister routine.” His voice held a rough edge as if he tried to suppress his emotions.

My brother, Ahir, used to do the same thing, pretending to be fine after getting hurt. “What do you want to do?”

“Master Jewelrose and Yelena will have to be informed. Can you tell them for me? I really don’t want to repeat all this.”

“Sure, I understand. I have a sister, too.”

He brooded for a while, sitting on the edge of my bed.

“Was Gressa part of the plot?” I asked.

“What plot?” Ulrick seemed confused.

“With Councillor Moon’s sister.”

“Sorry. I’m still groggy.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Gressa told me she had bragged during a government party that her crystal glass could pass for diamonds, and the Councillor’s sister challenged her to prove it. She did. The sister paid her for more fakes and when Gressa found out they were passing them off for real diamonds, she demanded more money. Typical.”

An odd huskiness still tainted his voice. Perhaps it was a side effect of the sleeping draft or it could be because he had been tricked and betrayed by Gressa.

“Why did she run?”

“I don’t know. Maybe to tip off the sister? Perhaps she supports her.” He turned to me with a sudden intensity blazing in his eyes. “You know what? I don’t care anymore. We solved who’s making the fake diamonds, let the authorities deal with the whys. Besides, Gressa’s self-absorbed behavior made me realize just how self-centered and mopey I’ve been acting. No more. I’m not going to wish my life away. I’m going to enjoy life. Consider me a new man.”