If they failed, the Revinir would exact revenge far and wide, and perhaps destroy everyone and everything in her path. But if they did it right… if they appealed to the angry abandoned girl named Emma who’d only wanted a partnership with her siblings… whose existence must still haunt the Revinir… it just might work. The Revinir didn’t have any other clear weakness that Fifer knew about yet. But she was arrogant, and she believed she could convince Thisbe to join her even after all the times Thisbe had refused. Perhaps that was the way in. But was it worth the risk?

Fifer smoothed her robe, knowing that all of the noble head mages who’d gone before her had been so successful because of the risks they’d taken. It was a gut feeling, and Fifer wondered if she was actually using hers properly for once. She could feel it—the inner tug that told her this was right. It was what Florence had coached her to look for. What Simber had assured her was inside her.

Now Fifer had to convince Thisbe. And if Fifer knew her twin, that task would prove to be difficult. As she drifted off, she recalled the thought she’d sent to Thisbe after the Revinir had captured them: Remember the fights we’ve won. Rescuing Pan’s young dragons from ten years of captivity. Escaping the burning castle. Freeing their fellow black-eyed rulers from mind control. Saving Artimé from Frieda Stubbs. Fifer was going to dwell on that mantra from now on. Based on those successes, she knew that it took more than strength. It took cunning and wits to succeed against someone who was far more powerful than the two most magical people Artimé had ever seen.

A Strange Sight

Thisbe opened her eyes to find sunlight streaming over her. At first she didn’t know where she was. She moved to stretch, and the pain in her ankle brought everything back. At least she was feeling more clearheaded—yesterday had felt so foggy compared to now. She turned to find Fifer, who was standing at the east window.

“Is someone out there?” Thisbe asked. “Did they come?”

Fifer turned, but Thisbe couldn’t make out her expression because of the backlight. “Thiz, there’s something I’ve got to tell you.”

Thisbe sat up, gingerly testing her ankle and finding it had improved. “What?” She looked around the library at the stacks of books, and it suddenly dawned on her where they were. “Oh! I think I know where we are—this must be Ashguard’s palace!”

Fifer tilted her head and stepped out of the light. “Where?”

“This is where Maiven went to find the ancient books. The Suresh family ruler, Ashguard the curmudgeon, lived here. This must be it. I can’t imagine it’s anything else.”