Soon only Florence remained to watch Ava and Lukas in the jungle and anxiously await Sky’s report. While she waited, she consulted with Panther and the rock about what was happening in Artimé, giving them a little more background on the events that had led to Frieda and the dissenters’ rise to power.

The others arrived via the tube to the slightly secret hallway kitchenette, which was across from the head mage’s office. Like most people in Artimé, Frieda Stubbs couldn’t access anything in that hallway, which gave this minority group some wry satisfaction in this dark time.

They filtered out of the kitchenette into the hallway and grew somber as they crossed over it and stepped into the office. It had hardly been touched since Alex’s departure to the land of the dragons. The desk held two neat piles of books and a stack of papers that had belonged to the former head mage. No one had been able to bear clearing things off since his death. Sky’s face was drawn as she remained by the door and peered at Alex’s things while watching the others mill around.

Fifer touched Sky’s arm, and Sky gave Fifer a small smile. “Shall we start by gathering components?” Fifer asked, leading her a few steps inside the office. “I know where some are.”

Sky swallowed hard and nodded. “I can bring the extras back to Florence,” she said, pointing to the deflated rucksack on her back. Her eyes strayed to Alex’s desk.

“Great,” said Fifer. She hesitated, eyes filling, then blinked hard and continued a few steps farther into the room and looked around. Sky followed. Everyone was quiet in the absence of their great former leader, missing him even more now. What would he do in this situation? Certainly he would fight for the mansion, to preserve Artimé—there was no doubt about that. They all knew it. They moved with purpose, but each one paused here or there, by the desk or a chair, or near Alex’s beloved, haphazardly piled books and artwork from his earlier years. Remembering their friend.

“Did Alex ever draw a 3-D door to the theater?” asked Samheed.

“No,” said Lani. “He didn’t need to. We always used the one Ms. Octavia drew.”

“And now Frieda has stolen it,” said Ms. Octavia passionately, her glasses bobbling as she wrinkled up her alligator snout. “Technically it’s my property.”

“We’ll get it back,” said Aaron. “I promise.”

Ms. Octavia folded two of her octopus arms over her chest and muttered something under her breath. They all began to gather up everything useful they could carry in their packs, for they weren’t sure when they’d return… if ever.

Fifer felt a pang cross through her, thinking Thisbe might never have the chance to see this. She closed her eyes. Things were so unsettled with Thisbe. Would Fifer’s twin ever come back? Was she okay? As focused as Fifer was on this task, her mind strayed to the fights and misunderstandings between her and Thisbe. Things were bad, but Fifer felt powerless to do anything. It seemed like Thisbe was the one being distant after she sneaked off without telling anyone but Aaron.