Before going inside the mansion, she turned to find Simber so she could check in with him as she usually did before going to sleep. But instead of reporting to her like he’d done since Alex had died, he was talking quietly with Aaron. Fifer almost called out to Simber, but then she realized the two were talking about leadership things and plans for the next day. Her lips parted, and a cold feeling rose in her chest. She took a few uncertain steps toward them, but Aaron and Simber didn’t notice her. After a moment, unsure what to do, Fifer dropped her gaze and glanced around self-consciously. She spied Sky and Thisbe walking arm in arm, Thisbe’s scales shimmering like tiny stars in the moonlight. With a sigh, Fifer followed them into the mansion.

The twins moved about their apartment without talking. Fifer was weary and didn’t feel like sharing her confusing thoughts. What had happened felt bad. And embarrassing, too—she’d apparently been demoted and replaced without a word from anyone. Obviously she’d expected the head mage to take over once they returned home, but she’d thought she’d at least have some sort of transition time or be kept in the loop now that she’d proven herself. Or, at the very least, thanked for getting everyone home safely. But there’d been none of that. It wasn’t something she wanted to bring attention to. She didn’t think her sister would understand, anyway . . . or care. Thisbe had been brooding and verging on quarrelsome since Fifer first mentioned wanting to have a celebration. Feeling miserable, Fifer crawled into bed and faced the wall.

As for Thisbe, the comforts of home were a welcome sight. But her mind whirred, and she wore a grim expression, growing more determined than ever to put a stop to the Revinir and her roaring spell and return the land of the dragons to its rightful rulers. It was going to take a miracle, and Thisbe had no idea how she would succeed, especially now that Fifer and Seth were being less than enthusiastic about helping. But she feared this war wasn’t even close to being over. No one, no matter where they lived, was safe.

An Uneasy Feeling

Weeks passed. Aaron tried to dodge Frieda Stubbs and the dissenters, while Thisbe and Fifer wrestled with their individual issues and rarely saw eye to eye when they tried to talk. Thisbe desperately wanted everyone to work toward going back to the land of the dragons to fight the Revinir and save her fellow black-eyed slaves. But Fifer wasn’t enthused about it. She didn’t want to admit that her apparent demotion made her feel out of sorts and even less motivated to go on another quest, but that was the truth of it. What else was she supposed to be in charge of now but the costume ball?