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“When Misa fell,” I say. “The early days of the Houses were violent. House of Marionne, actually, feared that families of those who were cast out would want revenge. The Headmistress left when rumor of a serious attack reached her.”

“And the other time?” she asks.

My brother and I share a glance. “The Order wasn’t always run by Council of Mothers. A cabinet of twelve used to run it: the Upper Cabinet. The Council was supposed to attend an annual meeting with them. Before attending, Beaulah marched—closing her House down and taking mostly everyone with her.”

“She was scared of something,” Quell says. “What happened at the meeting?”

“Tragic accident,” Liam jumps in. “The Uppers went into the hotel where the meeting was held but never came out. No bodies were ever discovered. The Headmistresses and the Dragunhead were the only leadership the Order had left.”

I nudge the logs in the fire, and the flames swell. I don’t have proof that Beaulah conspired to kill the Uppers, so I’ve never said anything. But it’s one more reason she needs to finally be brought to justice, with evidence.

“Do you have eyes on Beaulah, reporting back to you?” Quell asks. “We can’t rely on random tidbits we pick up while out here.”

“You’re asking if I’m spying on her?”

“You said she’s onto us somehow. She is most certainly spying on you. Are there any Draguns from her House that you could turn your way?”

Yani comes to mind. When we were…close she used to listen to me. But the dark gleam in her eye at Headquarters suggests she will do the opposite of what I say just to spite me.

“You don’t understand the reach of Mother’s indoctrination if you think they can be turned,” my brother says.

“You two broke away,” she says.

“You sure he’s broken away?” A smirk very unlike Liam’s plays on his lips.

“Funny, brother.”

“How are you two even related?” Quell asks, fanning herself.

“Can you feel your magic?” I ask, ignoring the dig. She’s right: we couldn’t be more different. And I’m not sure who to blame for that anymore.

She holds her side. “It’s there. I’ll be fine.”

“If you can’t reach it, you’re not fine.” I can’t believe this has devolved to me counseling her on how to take care of her illegal magic!

“This makes me think of a story,” Liam starts, but I douse the fire before he can get started.

“Off to bed, both of you,” I say.

Quell stands, still unsteady on her feet. I get up to help her and press the back of my hand against her neck. “You’re still scorching.”

“I’m going to sleep it off,” she says, shrugging away from my touch before sauntering toward the tent. I follow her, leaving Liam behind. She disappears through the flaps and shouts, “I intend to be well enough to start sun tracking at sunrise.”

A million thoughts run through my mind. But I return to the fire to ensure it’s out. Once that’s cleaned up, Liam prepares for bed.

“We’re behind,” I tell my brother, swallowing my annoyance that he still won’t face me as himself. “I need you to help her with tracking tomorrow, with whatever energy she has.”

He rolls in his covers and our makeshift camp is silent. But the events of the evening keep me sitting up and keep my mind going. If I hadn’t shown up when I did, she would be dead. I drag my pack right in front of the entrance to her tent.

“Are you going to get some sleep?” Liam props himself up on his elbows.

“Eventually. I’m just thinking about tomorrow.”

“You’re thinking about Quell. The way you feel about her.”

I can still feel the heat of her skin against my hand. “Shut up and sleep.” I clench my fists. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“People who don’t have the privilege of lying to themselves get real good at seeing the truth.” He buries himself in his bed and I settle in mine. But sleep doesn’t come. I can still hear the fear in her voice when I found her, and feel her relief when I held her. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe I wanted her to turn to me. I glare at the dark sky. Then I glare at my brother, sleeping so peacefully.