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NEO

“ I have something to tell you,” Neo said.

It was later. Much later, after exchanging heated kisses. After their carriage being stopped by Robin Greensleeves and his gang—who had an unhappy surprise as they were taken off to prison. And Neo had taken Robin’s sword, of all things.

“What is it?” Zula asked as they walked down the road, side by side.

Neo noticed she’d been smiling at him, quite often, and his heart felt light, hopeful. But it was time to stop delaying the bad news. “I came to find you because the witch left the jungle. My mother—er . . . the queen, sensed a mass of magic on the move, headed toward the palace.”

“No,” Zula breathed.

“Yes. There’s more. We believe the witch was using you to collect magical relics. She needed the power of seven, perhaps to free herself from an old curse or break the magic that kept her bound in the jungle.”

“Oh.” Zula came to a standstill, eyes wide with horror. “And I’ve been her magic supplier. Every heist, every magical relic I stole, somehow made its way back to her.”

Neo nodded. “That is the conclusion we drew too. And then there was the final relic, the jeweled egg.”

Zula slapped her palm against her forehead and groaned. “And I just handed it to her!”

“You didn’t,” Neo disagreed.

“But I did. I stole that egg three times.”

“Did you notice anything different the last time?”

“No. I was in a fog of misery. I’d just . . . ”

Zula trailed off and Neo waited, watching as knowledge took hold and her jaw dropped. She pointed a finger at him.

“There was something different about the egg. It wasn’t as heavy and the gems weren’t as bright.”

Neo grinned. “It wasn’t the real one, just a decoy. We assumed thieves would return for the jeweled egg, so we helped the trolls disguise it. They are very good with stonework, and they moved quickly. Your final theft helped to heal the relationship between the trolls and the kingdom while we helped them restrengthen their borders.”

Zula stared at him. “You knew? You used me?”

Neo sobered, expression darkening. “I was hoping another thief would finish the job. I didn’t want it to be you.”

Zula’s eyes went shiny. At last she bit her lip and looked away. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve already apologized.”

She brushed impatiently at her face. “So what happens now?”

“I assume the witch discovered she’d been tricked, and she’s coming. She has enough magic to leave, but not enough to rise to her full ability. I think she’s coming for you, Zula, and it will be a battle, but it’s time to free you from the witch, time to free you from the dark purpose she cast over you. It’s time to give you what you want, to set you free.”

“I don’t understand—how will we defeat her?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard of the royal family.” He grinned at her. “I’m very familiar with them. I’ve been to the palace many times and I can tell you about their habits.”

Zula made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “Tell me.”

“Magic flows through their veins, and how does one fight magic?”

Suddenly Zula grabbed his arm, eyes wide. “Neo, I know how to fight the witch.”