Tegan rapped on the door and we soon heard footsteps venture across an echoing room. The entrance was opened by a man on the right side of forty with a permanent stoic appearance on his face. I could see the displeasure in his eyes as he looked over our ragged knapsack and my broom.

  “May I help you?” he inquired.

  “We believe Lusio is expecting us,” Tegan informed him. “We’re here by request of one of his friends.”

  The man opened the door wide and stepped aside. “Come inside.”

  We strolled into the large entrance hall. I tilted my head back to find the ceiling and discovered the room stretched to the very top floor where huge bare beams glistened far off like stars. All the above-ground floors had balconies that looked down at us, and each was accessed via a wide set of spiral stairs on both sides. The winding steps traveled all the way to the top and were supported by a thick metal post in their center.

  “Lusio certainly likes to walk in circles a lot,” I mused.

  My comment received a disapproving look in the servant’s eyes but he said nothing as he stretched his arm toward a central hall that cut the house in two. “If you will follow me. My master is at the rear of the house.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  We followed the aloof manservant down the hall. Pairs of wood doors lined both sides and featured intricate carvings that showed people in various poses showing off their powers. The very first door featured a figure with their arms raised. A crowd stood before them with their arms raised in the identical fashion and the name of Hugo flowed from their lips. Some of the figures wielded wands against magical creatures. I couldn’t help but nudge Tegan’s arm with my elbow and nodded at one scene in particular. It was of a dragon surrounded by a half dozen magic users. Its fangs were bared and it had a wild look in its eyes.

  “A relative of yours?” I whispered.

  He noticed where I indicated and smiled. “Former relative, by the looks of it.”

  “These doors are to commemorate past tournaments,” the man spoke up without turning his head. “Each scene is one of three tests which was passed by the previous contestants.”

  I viewed the doors with renewed interest and marveled at the dozens of scenes set before us. “How long has he been doing these?”

  “Twenty-nine. This will mark the thirtieth year.”

  I looked up at Tegan. “Are these trials that important?”

  “They gave Lusio enough prestige to land him some very important trade contacts,” Tegan told me as he nodded at the fancy wood and lush carpet beneath our feet. “So most of this wouldn’t be here without it.”

  We reached the end of the hall where a pair of elegant doors of simpler design led us out onto a large terrace. The open space was constructed from stones and fitted together with pale mortar to match the tan colors of the rocks. The stones had been polished to a smooth shine and were surrounded by a low stone wall that separated the onlooker from a drop of some ten feet onto the white sands.

  The beaches stretched for sixty yards before reaching the current edge of the blue-green waters. A set of stone stairs led down to the sand and it was there where we found the host. A group of a dozen servants were scurrying around the beach. Each of them held a pointed stick with a small jar affixed to the top. Other servants were busy off to the side adding the finishing touches to a set of long white wood bleachers.

  A man of about fifty was directing their efforts. Unlike the others clad in plain whites and blacks, he was dressed in a casual suit jacket of plum purple. His tan pants ended with suede shoes and he grasped a drink in one hand as he pointed at one side or the other.

  “Not there, you fool! A little farther away than that or they will break each other!” the man snapped.

  Our guide led us across the sands and stopped within five feet of the general. The servant crossed his arm over his chest and bowed low to Mr. Suede Shoes. “My Master, you have company.”

  “Then leave them and bring me another drink,” the man snapped as he handed the servant his mostly empty glass. “And make it stiffer. This is not going as well as I had hoped.”

  “Very good, sir,” the man agreed and he scurried off to obey.

  Lusio didn’t pay us a lick of attention as he resumed his shouting duties. “Farther apart and farther back or they won’t stand a chance!” Two of the carriers were so eager to obey that they didn’t watch where they were going and crashed into each other. Their sticks fell to the sands and a colorful gooey substance fell out of the jars. The man stamped his foot against the ground. “You fools! Now have Clara refill those and get back here at once!”

  “Yes, sir!” they shouted as they scooped up their and scurried not to the house but down the beach. They soon disappeared behind a dune near where white sand met green grass.

  Lusio shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “The rest of you rest a moment until they return. Anyone who has been given their spots may return to the house.”

  Only two out of the remaining ten gladly hurried into the house. The others took their staves and clustered together to chatter.

  Tegan stepped up to the master of the house. “Good morning, Mr. Lusio. Domini has requested we be here to-”

  He waved his hand at us without looking. “Yes, yes. Domini informed me you were coming and I promptly wrote him to tell him you weren’t needed. I’m perfectly safe with the vetted participants and the crowds have already been checked for those who would cause a disturbance.”

  Tegan lifted an eyebrow. “Do you expect disturbances every year?”

  Lusio wrinkled his nose. “Well, not every year, but I’m sure you met those troublemakers on the road here.”

  “We couldn’t help it,” Tegan confirmed.

  A dark cloud settled on our host’s brow. “They’ve been trying to tarnish my name for many months now with those false accusations. Imagine me going against the rules of the sea when I’ve made my life and fortune from it.”

  “A vast fortune, or so I’ve heard,” Tegan added.

  Lusio turned to us and gave him a sharp look. “You don’t believe those falsehoods, do you?”

  “We didn’t come here to pass judgment on your life but to protect it,” Tegan reminded him.

  The man didn’t appear appeased as he looked Tegan over. “Whatever your intentions, I need no help. You can stay for the tournament as a courtesy to Domini, but any interruption on your part will result in immediate dismal.” He paused and looked over my broom. “And under no circumstances will I allow you to participate. Is that understood?”

  Tegan bowed his head. “Perfectly. Thank you for allowing us to witness your tournament. The reputation precedes it and I have no doubt we will enjoy the show.”

  The corners of Lusio’s lips twitched upward. “Yes, well, I pride myself on giving variety. No two years are the same. Take this, for example.” He held out his hand to the group of servants but they didn’t notice his gesture. He frowned. “You there! Will someone bring me one of those sticks?”

  They snapped to attention and half of them scrambled over the other half to meet his demand. They nearly stuck Lusio like a pig with their eagerness to shove their stick at him. He jerked his hand back and gave them a disapproving glare before he snatched an offered stave.

  Lusio turned to us and tilted the stick enough so Tegan and I could see the interior of the jar. “Do you see that? Can you guess what it is?”

  Tegan took one look at it and nodded. “It looks like some bubble mixture.”

  Lusio frowned but hid most of his disapproval by clearing his throat. “Yes, well, not just a mere bubble mixture, but you shall see soon enough.” He shoved the stave back into the hands of the servant and nearly toppled the trembling fellow. “Now if you will excuse me, I have a tournament to prepare. You may return to the house and Miles will show you to your rooms.”

  Tegan and I were only too glad to leave our strange host behind and return to the house. We met the stoic servant just inside the doors and he swept his arm down the hall. “If you will come with me, I will show you to your rooms.”

  I lifted an eyebrow at his inexplicable knowledge but silently followed him. Miles led us to the left set of spiral stairs and up to the third floor. The climb wasn’t as brutal as reaching Glistnia but my head was spinning by the time we arrived at our destination.

  The butler led us down the hall to the end where a window looked out on the cliffs. He gestured to the last two doors. “You may occupy these rooms during your brief stay with us.”

  Tegan clapped a hand on the man’s shoulder and grinned. “We’ll only need one of them.”

  Miles eyed his hand as a personal offense but kept his stoic mouth. “I see. Will you be needing anything else, sir?”

  “The itinerary for the tournament would be appreciated,” Tegan told him.

  Miles reached into his coat and drew out a pamphlet. “This lists the events and meal times.”

  “Perfect,” Tegan replied as he accepted the flyer with his offending hand.

  “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  “A list of the guests,” Tegan added as he took a brief look at the inside of the pamphlet and held it up. “This doesn’t include that.”

  Miles shook his head. “The list is exclusively held by my master. None may view it unless given express permission by him. Would you like me to ask him for the list on your behalf?”

  Tegan smiled and shook his head. “No need. I think we both know the answer to that question.”

  “Then if there is nothing else, sir, I will take my leave.” Miles bowed his head and disappeared down the hall.

  “I’ve had cheerier welcomes in a graveyard. . .” I muttered.

  Tegan smiled at me. “At least they didn’t put us in the attic.”

  I lifted an eyebrow. “How do you know this place has an attic?” He pointed at something behind me and above the window. I followed his finger and noticed a hatch in the ceiling. “Oh. Right.”

  “Now let’s see what the accommodations are for this adventure,” Tegan suggested as he opened the door.

  I stepped inside and my mouth fell open.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The room was spacious, being some thirty by thirty feet. Windows opened on the beach and showed off the nearby gray cliffs and the sparkling water at their base. A gold-plated chandelier hung above us and a chimney of smoothed stone stood in the wall to our right. The huge bed was situated about ten feet from the hearth and featured a top decked with white lace. The space between the door and the bed was occupied by a small round table with four high-backed chairs. Their curved arms and clawed feet showed the mastery of the carpenter who had crafted them. A large rug lay beneath the table and smaller ones dotted the rest of the floorboards.

  The room was finished off by another door to the right of the chimney. Tegan strolled across the room and peeked inside. “The bath,” he announced as he slipped into the marbled room. “And indoor plumbing, as well.” He stepped back into view and leaned his side against the door frame. A bemused smile graced his lips as he folded his arms over his chest. “Not bad for third-class accommodations.”

  I lifted an eyebrow. “You mean not all the rooms look like this?”

  “I doubt it,” Tegan mused as he sauntered to one of the windows and looked out. “The third floor is reserved for guests who aren’t generally welcome. The stairs encourage them to leave as soon as possible.”

  I joined him at the glass and admired the breathtaking view of the beach and ocean. “At least we have a good view.”

  Tegan smiled. “Yes, and a better angle to watch our reluctant host.”

  His attention dropped to the white sand where Lusio had finished the placement of his troops. The staves stuck out of the sands with one half opposite the other and a gap of some hundred feet between them.

  “What are those bubble sticks, anyway?” I asked him.

  “A child’s toy,” Tegan explained as his eyes flitted from one group to the other. “A simple magical concoction is placed in the jars and the wind blows through holes in the sides which tingles the magic and forces bubbles up so children can play with them.”

  I furrowed my brow. “I didn’t see any holes.”

  He shook his head. “Neither did I, but the concoction was the same. Lucy and I played with them many times when we were children.”

  “So what would Lusio want with a kid’s game?” I wondered.

  “I suspect we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to get our answer,” he mused as he smiled at me. “In the meantime, why don’t we enjoy the view? The sun will be setting in a few hours so we won’t have another chance until tomorrow.”

  “You mean a stroll on the beach?” I guessed.

  He offered me his arm. “My thoughts exactly.”

  I accepted his arm and grinned. “Let’s go.”

  In a few minutes, we found ourselves strolling down the long beach in the direction away from the cliffs. The setting sun glistened on the horizon as the light faded around us, casting long shadows on this unfamiliar place. The sea breeze wafted over us and the gentle sand squished beneath us. The beach grass waved in the wind and a few sea birds flew overheard calling to one another. I felt as though we were the last two people on the planet, and I was fine with that.

  I leaned my cheek against Tegan’s arm and sighed. “I can see why Lusio put a house here. It’s so peaceful.”

  “I doubt we will find a neighbor within five miles of here,” Tegan mused.

  A few bits of sea spray struck us and I couldn’t help but giggle. “I think I could get used to the protection business.”

  He shook his head. “It won’t always be like this, not if Domini is right, and a man with his connections is rarely wrong.”

  My shoulders sagged and I frowned at him. “You just had to ruin the mood, didn’t you?”

  Tegan leaned down and pecked a kiss on my lips. “Does that make things better?”

  I wrinkled my nose to try to hide my appreciation. “It’s a start, but only a start.”

  I looked inward toward the many grass-covered dunes that acted as a transition between the sea and land. A well-trampled path between two dunes caught my attention. “Where do you think that leads?”

  “No idea, but we should find out,” Tegan suggested as he turned us toward the trail.

  We had only gone a few feet when he suddenly stiffened. I looked questioningly up at him and found his face was tense. “What’s the-”

  He tackled me to the ground and a gust of wind blasted over us. I ate a mouthful of sand as Tegan jerked his head up. He scowled in the direction further down the beach. I sputtered out the sand and looked at what had caught his attention.

  My heart stopped when I saw Quinn and Conor, the wind Key and Clasp, standing at the edge of one of the dunes about a hundred feet from us. They both held up their hands with the palms facing our direction. Balls of wind magic swirled in front of their hands pointing straight at us.

  Things got worse when a short figure stepped out from behind them. It was Morrigan, the old senator of the Key Council. She was clad in her customary purple robes and had a smile on her face.

  “What a pleasant surprise,” she mused as she clasped her hands together in front of us. “I did not expect to meet you two here. It must be fate.”

  “It’s something,” Tegan quipped as he helped me to my feet. Bits of sand fell off us as his eyes darted over the area.

  Morrigan chuckled. “There’s no use trying to escape, not in an area ruled by the winds. At best, you would drop out of the sky, and at worst you would find yourself swimming against the tidal pull.”

  Tegan drew me behind him as the situation looked tense. I could feel his muscles ripple as indecision between revealing his wings weighed against Morrigan’s words. He decided on the risk and his wings burst out of his back. The wind users blasted their magic at us and Tegan threw his arms up to block the dual blows.

  A thin bolt of some electrical force shot out from the direction of the dunes and crashed into the winds, fizzling them to nothing. It was the turn of our foes to stiffen and Morrigan whipped her head to the dunes. Another arc of yellowish electricity shot out of the grassy mounds, but this time the bolt traveled upward before it burst into a million sparkling bits.

  Morrigan narrowed her eyes at the beautiful brilliance. She caught the attention of Conor the Clasp and pointed her finger at the dunes. “See who is in there!”

  Conor nodded and hurried across the sand. He had barely reached the edge of the grass and the trampled path I’d noticed earlier when a bolt of lightning shot out from the dunes and struck him in the torso. He was thrown back several yards and landed with a soft thump on the sand. I could hear the air knocked from his lungs and he let out a strangled wheeze.

  Quinn was at his side in a moment and he helped his Clasp sit up. Morrigan stalked over to the pair, keeping one sharp eye on the dunes, and set a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “Focus, Key. There is something evil here that must be dealt with.”

  He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You recognize this magic, ma’am?”

  “Never you mind,” she snapped more harshly than I’d ever heard her, even when we were littering her office with shattered glass. “Just get up and-”

  Whatever her instructions were to be, they were interrupted by the sound of a horse whinnying. Tegan and I half-turned and found Lusio riding bare-backed toward us on an elegant white steed.

  And he was not pleased.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “What is the meaning of this?” he snapped as he stopped just shy of where Tegan and I stood. “Why is magic occurring before the tournament?”

  Morrigan put on her best sweet smile as she stepped in front of the Key and Clasp. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Lusio, but it was our duty to capture these two renegades-” She used a hand to gesture to Tegan and me, “-and to bring them to the nearest office. You must excuse our backing out of the tournament, but-”

 

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