LADY MADELINE

When Merriston came into view beneath three moons of varied sizes, Cole was no closer to understanding how he had made the Jumping Sword work. He had spent much of the ride trying to replicate what had happened in the field, but no matter how hard he concentrated, or what mind games he played, the Jumping Sword remained inert.

Jace had quietly sulked all day. He would respond to questions, but initiated no conversation, and made no jokes. Skye seemed extra sullen and contemplative as well.

Watch fires brightened the road as they neared the colossal wall. The mammoth gates stood closed. After the coach halted, Cole heard the driver telling a guard how they had been attacked by the Rogue Knight. A few minutes later, the gates groaned open.

“What’s the plan?” Cole asked.

“I told the driver to drop us near Fairview Gardens,” Skye said. “It’s a pleasant part of the city. I’m trying to decide how we can access your friend Dalton.”

The words gave Cole his first happy moment since they’d lost Mira—he was so close now! They were making plans to see him!

“We’re low on funds,” Jace reminded them.

“My main stash was in the couch,” Cole said. “I still have some ringers in my pocket. Just small change, but it might add up to a gold ringer or two. And I have a jewel I got from a sky castle.”

“There are places I can go for money,” Skye said.

“How much does it cost to get into the Silver Lining?” Cole asked.

“Six gold ringers a person, last I heard,” Skye said. “But that’s not the biggest obstacle. Not anyone can buy their way into the Silver Lining. It’s by invitation only.”

“Can somebody in the Unseen help you?” Cole asked.

“I know people who could get us through the front door,” Skye said. “But we don’t really want the front door. If we want to find your friend, we need the back door.”

“If Dalton sees me, he’ll try to make contact,” Cole said.

“Right, if he sees you,” Skye said. “The Silver Lining is enormous and built like a labyrinth. As the biggest and best confidence lounge in Merriston, it is supported by a huge staff. We could visit the Silver Lining multiple times without your friend noticing.”

“So how do we get in the back door?” Cole asked.

Skye furrowed her brow. “I’m a senior member of the Unseen. I’m a gifted enchanter. There has to be some other way.”

“Other way?” Cole asked.

“Security is very tight at the Silver Lining,” Skye said. “Getting into the back with the staff is much harder than getting through the front door. They have some of the best scrubbers in Elloweer.”

“What are scrubbers?” Cole wondered.

“They wipe away illusions,” Skye said. “Verity was basically a powerful scrubber. Before the staff at the confidence lounges place their seemings on you, they want to know who they’re dealing with.”

“So we can’t really use disguises,” Cole said.

“Not seemings,” Skye said. “Not to get inside. We won’t be able to dodge the scrubbers at the checkpoints.”

“Without the scrubbers, can enchanters tell when you’re using a seeming?” Cole wondered.

“Not if the seeming is done right,” Skye said. “I’m no novice, and a skilled enchanter can easily fool my eyes. I only know I’m looking at a seeming if the enchanter does sloppy work. That’s why good scrubbers are so valuable.”

“Can somebody sneak us in the back way?” Cole asked.

Skye bit her lip. “Of all my contacts, I can think of only one person who has a chance of succeeding. She isn’t a member of the Unseen, she won’t be willing, and she’s very unpleasant to work with.”

“Who?” Cole asked.

Skye gave a defeated sigh. “My mother.”

After getting dropped off beside lush gardens full of luminescent flowers, Skye guided Cole and Jace along wide, empty streets lined with neat yards and tidy buildings. No lights glowed in any windows.

“Let me do the talking,” Skye instructed. “I know you two like to joke, but my mother was born without a sense of humor. I’ll introduce you as orphans I’ve taken under my wing.”

“True enough,” Jace said.

Cole glanced at Jace. Maybe it was true for him. But Cole had parents who loved him. They might not remember him, and they might live in another world, but they were out there.

It was strange to think that right now, his mom, dad, and sister were living their ordinary lives back in Mesa. Didn’t they notice his stuff in his room? Didn’t they wonder who the kid was in the pictures with them? He would find a way back to them and make them remember. There had to be a way.

“Only talk if she speaks to you,” Skye went on. “Be brief and polite. Don’t mention my dazzle show. Or the rebellion. Try to look as innocent as possible.”

“You sound scared of her,” Cole said.

“That’s right,” Skye agreed. “It wouldn’t shock me if she turned us in.”

“But you think she’ll help us sneak into the Silver Lining?” Jace asked.

“Not if she thinks we’re sneaking,” Skye said. “I have a plan.”

She stopped outside a gate and stared up at a stately townhouse. Squaring her shoulders, Skye opened the gate and led them up to the front door. As with the surrounding homes, the windows were dark.

“Isn’t it kind of late?” Cole whispered.

“Believe me,” Skye said, “this will be equally miserable at any hour. Catching her a little off-balance may work to our advantage.”

Skye knocked loudly. Before long, a light came on, and a butler in a dark suit answered the door, holding a fragile lantern. Cole wondered if the guy slept in his clothes, although they looked neatly pressed. He was balding, with noble features, and he considered them with disdain. “Are you aware of the hour?”

“Yes, Jepson,” Skye said. “I’m here to visit my mother.”

“Lady Madeline has retired for the evening,” Jepson said. He poked his head out the door and glanced up and down the quiet street. “As has everyone else in the neighborhood.”

Skye walked right through Jepson, as if he were nothing more than a hologram. The butler blinked in annoyance, then turned to face her. Cole heard a low growl.

“Hush, Kimber,” Skye said, crouching to let a dog sniff her, then massaging the loose skin behind its neck.