She pulled her shoulders back. “No more stops,” she said. Partly because she couldn’t bear to see other people influenced like Mama, Papa, and Mr. Zaki and partly because she wanted to get to Naimo Ice Caves as quickly as possible.

“We’re going to find Prince Gin’s soul,” Sora said. “And we’re going to destroy him, no matter what the cost.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Fairy held tightly to one of the ridges on Liga’s back as they flew through the moon-shadowed sky. She’d thought sitting on an alligator would be a lot less comfortable, but because Liga was in constellation form—albeit with his sparks dimmed to keep them concealed—his hide was strangely ethereal, buttery smooth yet light as stardust. Combined with the fact that Wolf was pressed warmly behind her, Fairy was quite content as they glided toward their nightly mission to keep tabs on Prince Gin and look for any clues about Empress Aki’s whereabouts.

“How do we engage in subversion?” Liga asked in his typical awkward way as they approached the Citadel. He’d offered to come not only because it would be easier for Fairy and Wolf if he flew them but also because he was fascinated by the human conflict unfolding before him.

Wolf spoke up to answer Liga’s question. “We sneak very quietly, make sure we don’t get caught, and throw wrenches in the ryuu’s gears.”

“I didn’t bring any wrenches,” Liga said.

“Not literal wrenches,” Fairy said. “It’s just a saying—”

But Liga wasn’t listening, because at the same time he said, “Ah, but I can conjure them when you need them!”

She just let that one go.

They landed in the Citadel in the middle of the outdoor amphitheater with its broad black stage and rows of benches set into the grass, where the apprentices had watched many years of graduation ceremonies before them. After a quick pass, they confirmed there was nothing suspicious there.

Next was the sparring arena, where they’d spent countless hours with the taiga weapons master throwing knives, dueling with swords, and fighting with bare hands. Like when Broomstick had last been here, there were a few ryuu practicing their skills, even this late at night. Fairy refused to look into the center of the arena; she didn’t want to see if any of the girls from her dormitory or other classmates were there. And it seemed like business as usual—at least, business of the ryuu variety—so she, Wolf, and Liga quickly moved on.