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“There you are!” A tour guide approaches. His gaze snaps to the pendant on my necklace. “Good evening, Dragunheart, sir. Aronya sends its warmest greetings to the brotherhood.”

“Pleasure. I should be getting her back.” I try to move past him, bringing Quell along. He steps in our way, eyeing her hands.

“What happened?”

She laces them behind her back. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“The mines are inspected for any abnormalities, chemical or otherwise, and—”

“There’s no need for an interrogation. I found her trying to steal. But I’ve apprehended her, and I assure you she will receive consequence for her infraction. It’s been handled.”

Quell grumbles an exhausted groan.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m required to search her person in a case like this. I must insist.” He grabs her and I see red.

I heave him away from her and flatten him against the wall. “You don’t have the authority to insist.” I straighten his disheveled clothes. “On the honor of my position, you’ll find everything in there in good order. Are we understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Sweat beads on his forehead. “Forgive me if I—”

“It’s forgotten. Like our visit here tonight.” I gesture for him to lead the way to the exit. I usher Quell with a hand on her waist to steady her, and her skin is still fire.

“It’s good for morale to have you here on the island, sir, with everything going on.”

I clench my teeth.

“What do you make of the latest gossip?”

I ignore him, helping Quell over the uneven ground.

“I hear a House is marching from the east in search of the Sphere.”

Beaulah.

“And another House has joined the search.”

I stop.

Quell and I meet eyes.

“Tell me everything you know.”

* * *

Beaulah isn’t working alone. Logs crackle in the fire. Quell stares into it, in a daze. We’ve been here for an entire day and she hasn’t counted a single sun spot. Nor is she in any shape to. Beaulah has help. I know she’s done research on how to manipulate the innards of the Sphere. What we discovered in that safe house is clearly only a piece of a larger plan. And if I know anything about Beaulah, it’s that she is loyal to one person—herself. This is not good. My brother turns a stick with some kind of bug on the end over the flames.

“Which House do you think is marching to help her?” I ask.

“How do you know they’re an ally?” Liam asks. “Couldn’t they be marching against her?”

I sit back. I hadn’t considered that.

“When you say marching, what do you mean?” It’s the first time Quell has spoken since we left the cave. She refused food and has only been sipping water.

“Their residence is formally closed,” I say. “Security protocols are in place for an extended time away. By the books it means that sixty percent or more of a House’s staff is on the move with the lady of the House.”

“Is that unusual?” she asks. “Has it been done before?”

“Twice.” Liam gently strums his guitar.