My jaw tightened. I wished I’d been in Winter.

“It’s why Mr. Zane has that scar. It was the one hit Cheat managed to land.” But Apple released a light laugh. “It seems we finally know who’d win in a true duel between Mr. Zane and Mr. Cheat. We’ve all been wondering.”

I shook my head. “I just don’t understand why he wouldn’t tell me.”

“He won’t talk about it to anyone, I’m afraid. Wanda only told us because she feared a retaliation might be coming from Cheat.”

I gripped my fingers on my lap, appalled with myself. Here I was throwing truffles, and Zane was mourning the loss of his father.

“Let’s not have it spoil our day, friend,” Apple said with a dark-chocolate smile. “Your hair is finished. Let me make you some tea.”

Downstairs, Apple had another orange tea between my fingers in minutes, ever determined to nurse me back to health. The grayish Winter sky hovered over the skylights, stealing the glow from the main room. My fingertips buzzed in response to the ashy veil over the factory that still hadn’t left, and I pressed them against my burning tea mug.

I smirked at the Patrolmen around the room; hollering, competing, and in some cases, getting on each other’s nerves. Occasionally, one of them would turn and look around the main room, then pause to stare off like they realized the person they were looking for wasn’t there.

My smile faded and I took an unsteady sip of my tea.

Zane sneaking into the Red Kingdom.

Believers vanishing without a trace.

I tightened my fingers around my steaming mug until they burned, accepting the pain. If I’d been here when the believers had started to disappear, maybe I could have done something. My hand found the Revelation Orb at my throat, and I tapped it.

Another group of raven-black jackets flooded in from a hall, and my eyes narrowed on a head of fuchsia hair amidst them. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember the pink-haired boy’s name. Tumblebee? Timblewood? Wonton?

I spent several minutes watching him while I tried to sort it out. His theatrics hadn’t diminished in the slightest since last year.

“Why are you looking at Timblewon like that?”

Timblewon. That’s what it was.

I turned to Zane and my eyes settled on the scar by his jaw.

“You said Timblewon used to be in the circus, right? Does the circus ever pass by here? Or is it always in the same place?” Kaley had never told me much about the Winter circus, even when I’d asked. And I’d never been able to find it on her maps.

“It just arrived over the hill a pinch away,” Zane said, his blue eyes lighting. “Do you want to go?”

“Yes!” I practically shouted it. “Are we allowed?”

“Not likely, but we can sneak out as long as we’re quiet. Trevor will burn my scotcher if he catches us.” He grinned, dimples showing. “I promised I’d cheer you up, didn’t I, Trite?”