“So the rumors are true.” Claire took a breath and blew it out. “And what about the Revinir?”

“She’s retreated, thankfully.”

“Frrrieda is taking crrredit forrr that,” said Simber with disgust.

“She didn’t do anything,” Florence told Claire, and her voice turned worried. “I haven’t had a chance to find out why the Revinir turned back, but I have my guesses.” She didn’t say what it was that she feared.

“Where’s Aaron?” asked Claire.

“On Karrrkinos,” said Simber. “The girrrls arrre therrre too.”

“We think,” muttered Florence, looking out to the west. There was nothing to see but waves and an outline of the island.

“You should have stopped this,” Simber snapped.

Florence narrowed her eyes and stared down her lifelong friend. “There was nothing I could do, and you know it.”

Simber growled low and long, but he didn’t argue further.

In all her years in Artimé, Claire had never seen Florence and Simber disagree so heatedly before. It was unsettling. “What can I do?”

Florence glanced over her shoulder at Frieda Stubbs in the doorway, then back at Claire. “The dissenters wanted you as head mage after Alex died. Perhaps . . . if you’re willing . . . for a little while, at least . . .”

Claire understood. She nodded. “Of course. Temporarily, I mean. Until things get sorted out.”

“It won’t worrrk,” Simber muttered.

“Simber, please,” said Florence, exasperated. “We have to try. And I really don’t need your negativity right now.”

Simber glared at Florence. “My life has changed disastrrrously,” he said. “I’m sorrry you don’t like how I’m rrreacting to that.” He sniffed, then loped toward the back entrance of the mansion without another word.

Florence sighed. “He’s having a terrible time with her.”

Claire nodded. “I’m happy to do anything to cheer Simber up—if he’s not happy, no one is.”

Florence gave a sardonic laugh. “You’ve got that right.” She turned toward the spectacle at the entrance. “Let’s go talk to them. Tell them you’re interested in the job, just like they wanted. I believe they’ll be for it.”

Claire eyed the group, trying to assess the situation. “Do you think the Aaron supporters will object?”

“Not at all,” said Florence. “They’d be very supportive of you too. They just want Stubbs out before she wrecks everything.”

“I see.” Claire straightened her shirt and smoothed her component vest, then let out a resigned sigh. “Okay, let’s go.”

They walked over to where Frieda Stubbs was speaking to her people. “Artimé is safe now,” she was saying loudly. “The Revinir has been banished forever. What Aaron Stowe couldn’t do, I did.” Cheers erupted.

Frieda Stubbs smiled and bowed ever so slightly, as if she were feeling a little bit humbled by the praise, though everyone knew she was anything but humble and was probably doing it for show.

“She must’ve been an acting student,” Claire whispered to Florence.