That left little opportunity for her to get together with Sky and her new allies, Ibrahim and Clementi, who seemed unwavering in their intent to help her. But it was critical that Thisbe take the time to do some brainstorming with them about what would actually work against the Revinir. Once the costume party was over and Thisbe had completed her magical-warrior training, they’d all have more time to figure things out.

Even when Thisbe wasn’t preoccupied with determining how to defeat impossibly powerful enemies, she didn’t find joy in parties. The music was often too loud, and there were so many people around all talking at once until the noise level became overwhelming. It was exhausting. And she still didn’t think Fifer’s costume extravaganza was appropriate after all the difficulties and grief they’d gone through. It felt wrong to celebrate like this after Alex’s horrible death. Besides, no one knew what had happened to Dev. Was he even alive?

But Aaron, who seemed uncomfortable in his role as head mage, had mentioned to Thisbe that he thought the party was a good way to “unite the island and go forward together,” despite the new situation. Thisbe was learning that this way of speaking was code for the dissenters being disruptive and harshly critical of him—which she’d witnessed firsthand since they’d returned home. Frankly, this group of people who had come out of nowhere seemed horrible.

The dissenters didn’t act particularly enthusiastic to see Thisbe and Fifer home again either—they hadn’t forgotten that the twin girls used to be a menace to the people of Artimé, and often threw suspicious glances their way. Thisbe wanted her brother to succeed, so she didn’t confront any of them, even when they seemed to be talking about her and Fifer behind their backs. Instead she found herself taking out her annoyances on Fifer. The two argued more than either wanted to. But they couldn’t seem to stop. Things were tense in the room they shared.

The unpredictable, paralyzing roars from the Revinir didn’t help and only confirmed that the Revinir was still trying to get Thisbe and Drock to obey. The call kept Thisbe even more motivated to improve her power and abilities, so she could fight against the Revinir. It was so disheartening that those roars could affect her from this distance. There was no escaping it. Fifer was sympathetic at first, but Thisbe often dropped to the floor and writhed around at inopportune times. Knowing Thisbe would come out of it eventually, Fifer’s level of concern for her sister’s episodes lessened.

Nobody else but Drock could hear that frightful noise, and it shook both him and Thisbe. “This nightmare is far from over,” Drock said one day, staring worriedly to the west.

“Is she coming?” asked Thisbe. She checked her scales, which were lying flat on her arms and legs.

“Not yet.”