Page 18 of The Study of Storms and Magic
“I know.”
They couldn’t let Lorton succeed with his scheme. However, Zethan couldn’t think of a way to stop him. Well, he could, but he doubted they’d survive it.
ZOHAV
Beet stayed next to her the entire time Zethan and Heli were gone. No doubt to exact revenge if the captain failed to return. It was easy to guess why the man’s nickname was Beet. His bright red hair sat atop his pale beet-shaped face which had small eyes and a hooked nose.
She’d kept quiet and acted scared, appearing non-threatening. Listening to the soldiers, she’d picked up a few of their names, but they limited their conversation to mundane topics. Smart. If she, Heli, and Zee escaped, they wouldn’t be able to tell the authorities what the gang of thugs was planning or who they were.
Relief surged in her heart when Heli and Zee returned to the camp. Zethan looked a little shaky and she wondered if Lorton had hit him again. Zohav considered that another mistake in a series of them that the captain had made. The first, killing her friends, the second, hitting her brother, the third, assuming Zohav wasn’t a threat, and now another assault. Lorton would pay dearly for each one. Zohav would guarantee it.
Captain Lorton gathered his people and the prisoners to discuss strategy.
“There’s a travel shelter between those two villages in the valley that’s just right below the penitentiary,” Lorton said. “Once we set up, Boyo will bring the rain, his sister will keep us dry, and Storm Girl makes the fog. When’s the best time for that?” he asked Heli.
“When the temperatures drop to their lowest point.”
He stared at her.
“A few hours before dawn, but it will take some time for it to reach the prison.”
“Perfect. We’ll climb the ridge at dawn, our orb teams will set up, Storm Girl clears the fog and… Pow!” He punched his fist. “Hit the walls, hit the east side of the gray box, free our people.”
A prison break? This was all about freeing more thugs. She remembered when Valek and Yelena had used the orbs to break into the Sitian garrisons. It had been pure chaos. Lorton’s plan was bound to fail, unless?—
“Something to say, Boyo?”
“Your people inside already know you’re coming.” Zethan’s thoughts had mirrored her own.
“Of course they do. My friends have spent the last couple of months recruiting supporters.”
“But not everyone.”
“’Course not. Only the nasty ones. No murderers because of the Commander’s COB executes them all, but my pal Harv knows exactly when to stop so his victim doesn’t die on him.” Lorton whistled in appreciation over Harv’s skill.
Zethan and Heli exchanged a horrified glance.
“Too bad you’re not corruptible, Boyo. I could use a guy with your intelligence.”
Now Zee looked at Zohav. Lorton had it right, her brother wasn’t corruptible nor was he ruthless. It was a good thing she was both.
It took them two days to reach the travel shelter below the prison. The trio were well fed during the trip, and Zohav wondered if Heli or Zee told Lorton about needing strength to use magic. They limited their communication to glances. At night, they were cuffed and kept separate. Dark smudges lined Zethan’s eyes. The strain of calling the storm was draining his energy.
“Ah, look at that,” Lorton said after they set up camp. He gestured to the line of dark clouds heading their way. “Cue the storm.”
Curtains of gray fell from the clouds, dumping rain onto the hills around them.
“You gonna keep us dry, Little Sister?” Lorton asked her.
“She doesn’t have to,” Heli said.
“Why not?”
“All that water will flow downhill and join the river. There will be plenty of moisture for your fog.”
Zohav wasn’t an expert on storms, but this rainstorm appeared meatier than normal. Was Heli giving it a bit more power? Then it clicked why Zee had used up so much energy. She met her brother’s gaze, and he gave her a questioning look.
Ensuring no one was watching her, Zohav signaled,let it rip, brother mine.
