Fifer looked nonplussed. “I don’t know who that is, but I’m glad you figured it out. How close is the nearest village?”

“Oh, we’re out in the middle of nowhere,” Thisbe said, crestfallen. “I don’t exactly know, but we’re surrounded by natural barriers. The crater lake is on one side, and I think there are mountains somewhere else.” She was quiet, then turned back to Fifer. “What did you have to tell me?”

Fifer tapped the windowsill, then slowly went over to Thisbe and knelt next to the sofa near her feet. “Um… how’s your ankle?”

“Not bad. A couple more doses of medicine and I should be able to hobble a bit. Did you see someone outside again?”

“No. I mean the dragons are still there, but no people. No rescue team. And I didn’t expect to see them because, well, they’re… not coming.”

“What?” demanded Thisbe. “How do you know? Did Florence send a reply?”

“No,” said Fifer, looking very serious. She pressed the bridge of her nose and let out a resigned sigh. “I know because I told them not to come. That’s what I said to Florence in my message.”

Thisbe’s lips parted, and a confused expression came over her face. “Why?” she said softly. “Why would you do that?”

Fifer faltered, then plowed onward. “I had a gut feeling, and I went with it. I— It’s hard for me to explain this without sounding like I’ve made a mistake, and I’ve been trying to figure it out for myself before I tried to explain it to you. I’m sorry I let it go this long.”

Thisbe could feel angry heat coming up to her face. “You lied to me?” She couldn’t fathom what reasoning Fifer had for doing this. “Have you lost your mind? Fifer! We got abducted by the Revinir, and you told Florence not to help us? That’s nuts!” She fumed, thinking of all the ramifications of Fifer’s poor decision. “Let’s call them to come now before we starve to death.” She fumbled around, trying to find her component vest so she could look for a send spell. It was on the floor, just out of reach. Had Fifer moved it so Thisbe couldn’t take her out when she decided to confess this atrocity?

“Wait!” said Fifer, rising to kick the vest farther away and backing up, wary of her sister’s sparking eyes and fingers. “Let me explain. Please!”

Thisbe grew angrier, and she could feel her fingertips sparking. “Who do you think you are, taking my life in your hands like that without consulting me? I’m so furious right now I could spit fire. You’d better get out of my way.”

Fifer hastily ran around the other side of the desk and crouched. “Thisbe, listen to me!”