“Good,” said Florence. “How did you get it?”

Striving to get back in Florence’s good graces, Fifer explained how she’d managed to steal it while still under attack. “I know it was a big risk, because if I’d been hit… well, among other unpleasant things, it would have taken longer for you to learn about what happened. I took the chance because we need Simber.”

“That was dangerous,” Florence said. “But I’m glad you did it. Having Simber back with us will be a big relief.”

“Not that he’s ‘with’ us, exactly,” Sky warned. “He told Fifer and me outright that he works for Frieda now, and we shouldn’t tell him things that could compromise him. He said he’s bound by the constraints of magic that Mr. Today instilled in him, and that he must be loyal to the head mage. I’m not sure that’s something he can change—it’s just ingrained.”

Fifer looked troubled. “Well, sure, that’s how he was made, but this is a terrible mage. I would hope he could get over those feelings of loyalty to somebody who’s not worthy of it. Won’t his sense of right and wrong win out? I mean, he told Frieda he wouldn’t hurt us. But he didn’t say he would work with us, either. Do you mean we shouldn’t even try to release him?” After all Fifer had gone through to get the 3-D door, she wasn’t keen on doing nothing with it.

“I didn’t say that,” Sky said. “But…” She frowned. “Can we trust him to help us? Or will he be one more enemy? Florence, you’d know better than me.”

Florence looked troubled. “Your concerns are valid, Sky. I find it a relief that he told Frieda he wouldn’t hurt us. And her locking him up in the theater means she doesn’t trust him, or else she’d certainly use him to fight us.” She paused to think. “He’s got to have some type of strength in him that will help him overcome his loyalty to Frieda. Something good inside him that senses what’s right for Artimé and all of the people he loves. I mean, he knew better than anyone what Marcus Today intended this world to be. But now I’m worried.” She hesitated and looked down, shaking her head slightly. “I can’t believe I’m questioning my dearest friend. I’ve known him every day of my life.”

“Simber wouldn’t turn against us,” said Ava decisively, looking up from her spot on the ground. “He couldn’t.” Lukas nodded sleepily in agreement, but they both looked scared. Sky knelt to reassure them, then invited them to sit down with their backs against a tree so she could tell them a story.

Fifer and Florence stood grim and unsure, talking through what could happen if they freed Simber. Fifer was overwhelmed by their tiny army. If only Thisbe would return to help this land—her homeland! Fifer thought. Then she felt a twinge of guilt, because that’s exactly what Thisbe had done by going with the Revinir. But wasn’t Thisbe able to return by now? Where was she? They needed help!