Magic Study (Poison Study, #2)

by Maria V. Snyder

and itchy from hosting unnameable insects on our skins.

“How do you know?” I asked. “I may not be your—” “Your soul fits the void in my soul perfectly. I’ve no doubt you’re mine. I hope you’ll call me Mother, but if you can’t you can call me Perl.”

“Bad dreams are ghosts of our fears and worries, haunting us while we sleep.

“They call them Story Weavers,” Irys explained. “They hold the clan’s history. The Sandseeds believe their history is a living entity, like an invisible presence that surrounds them. Since the clan’s story is always evolving, the Story Weavers guide the clan.” “How do they guide them?” Cahil asked with concern. “They mediate disputes, help in decision making, they show the clan members their past and aid them in avoiding the same mistakes. Very similar to what the Master Magicians do for the people of Sitia.” “They soothe a troubled heart,”

Kiki’s view of life sounded right. Good food, fresh water, an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That’s what everyone should have.

“Living is a risk,” I snapped at him. “Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you’re taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety.”

“Why the sudden concern for Ilom?” Janco asked with mock sincerity. “He’s a grown man with surprising abilities. That stuffy old bore appeared out of nowhere, did a dead perfect impression of Valek’s voice and disappeared as if by magic. The man’s a genius! I should have known he would come along. Valek wouldn’t miss all the fun.”

But he went too far when my soul filled with contentment. Because I already owned that feeling whenever Valek held me in his arms.

“Another relative?” Valek asked. A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’s third cousin.”

“Where?” I asked. “In keeping with his cryptic nature, all your Story Weaver said was, ‘The horses know where to go.’” Valek shrugged. “It’s certainly not a military strategy I would use, but I’ve learned that the south uses its own strategy. And, strangely enough, it works.”