I told Ulrick there were three other Warpers who had escaped. “Perhaps I’m hoping you’ll slip up and tell me the truth.” “Why are you asking me questions when you do not believe my answers?”

Focusing on the original topic, I asked, “Who would Ulrick seek out to teach him? According to the Sitian Council, all the Warpers are dead.”ĭevlen propped his elbows onto the table and rested his chin on his hands. I pushed aside his insinuations about knowing my life story. Past, present and future.” He leaned closer. If they resonated with me, I had full access to the story threads of their life. When I had magic, I scanned each person I touched. Just because I chose to leave my clan to be a Warper, does not mean I have forgotten my training. “And you have forgotten I was born a Sandseed and learned how to control my magic from the Story Weavers. It is refreshing and a little frustrating, especially in Ulrick’s case. When you meet someone, you think the best of them until they prove you wrong. Just because you are smarter and more cautious now, you are not jaded and suspicious. Despite your adventures with the sinister side of life, you remain an open and kind person.”ĭevlen relaxed against the back of his chair.

You lacked the confidence and the knowledge to fully use it.” Then I discovered the skill to harvest another’s magic. But when Kade exhausted himself filling orbs with storm energy, I joined my essence with him and helped contain the lethal might of the tempest. At first, I had thought I possessed one trick-to capture magic inside my glass animals. You can not add to your magical abilities otherwise.” “I suggested he find a mentor to teach him how to use his new powers and to increase them.” He stuck to his story and I had no way to force the truth from him.

“We parted company at the Tulip Inn on the western edge of town.” More than usual or was I just ultra-aware of them because of my situation?

Town guards sat at tables and leaned against the bar. The normal buzz of conversation was muted as if the others were afraid of being overheard. He had done nothing to alarm me, but the atmosphere in the Weir Inn’s common room seemed charged. Sitting across the table from Devlen, I felt unsettled.

Sea glass by maria v snyder