I survey the landscape around us; its quiet, foreboding, chilled air is salty with a promise of rain. He has a point. “It’s a plan, then,” I say. “Zora, what do you know about where they are keeping Bati?”

“Doile said they carted him off to the eurostarum or book room, I believe you call it. Where they keep the ancient texts. It’s a locked room in the bowels of the Web, disconnected from the Ghizoni lair.”

“The Web is a maze. How will I find the exact spot? Do you know which alley has the access point?”

“Yes, behind the mail-drop slot at Jud and Quake Streets, you’ll see it.”

I nod. There’s a music shop that way. I know it pretty well.

“You’ll know you’re in the right spot because when you descend, it’ll split into two tunnels. The eurostarum is going to be somewhere along one of those. I can’t remember which one.”

“Be careful,” Grag warns. “You can stumble down the wrong corridor and find who knows what.”

“I would leave him, as well, Jelani,” Zora says, nodding at Julius.

His eyes flick to me.

“No offense,” she adds.

“He sticks with me,” I say. I haven’t forgotten what the Seer said. Julius is my extra eyes and ears, but I still have to keep him safe. “Bri, stick close to me. And keep your gadgets at the ready.”

She nods, her jaw set with determination. “I won’t freeze up this time.”

“And please give Jue another dose of that Defense Boost, just in case.” I have no idea how that potion works or how long it takes to wear off. She digs in her bag as I turn to face a crowd of a hundred or more Macazi. Taavi’s eyes are saucers, and even the Seer tries to sit up on her cart to hear what I have to say. The lines in her face suggest she knows something is awry.

“Slight change of plans. You all will take cover in the forest outside Yiyo, where we will cast a spell at High Moon.” I expect an echo of groans, but see only head nods. It makes me queasy.

“Be careful with them, please,” I say to Zora.

“I will. We should arrive by dusk if we hit no snags.”

Yeah, if.

“The Mother would be proud.” Zora squeezes my hand. “You’re doing a good job.”

I feign a smile. “I don’t know about that, but I guess we’re about to see.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE