I smile blankly in return, my mind running in frantic circles. I glance at Nazarin and his eyes are wide, locked on me.

“The Khan of Xanadu is ready to see you now. It’s time to Test your mettle.”

I blink quickly, then put another inane grin on my face. “Wonderful. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

She laughs, low and throaty, rubbing the fingers of one hand against the fleshy base of her thumb. “I wouldn’t be, if I were you. Come along, little canary.”

Malka takes my arm and leads me through the crowd. She stops as people greet her, introducing me. I watch other people’s reactions, the awe and fear she inspires in them.

People notice me at her side, and wonder why I’ve been so favored. Why has she come to get me herself? How well does she know me? Tila’s notes didn’t tell me much about her. I’m lost.

“Come,” Malka says. “We musn’t be late.”

All my nerve endings seem to freeze. Malka takes my arm, unlocking me, and I follow her toward the spiral ramp. I chance a look over my shoulder and Nazarin’s staring at me, barely concealed panic in his eyes. Leo is speaking to him, but he doesn’t seem to hear. He wanted to tell me something, but now it’s too late. I try to smile at him, but I can’t. I turn away and walk up the stairs.

I don’t have a choice.

Nobody is up on this level. The clear glass of the ceiling seems almost close enough to touch. Up here, little rooms helix off around the huge circle in the center, a maze of little hidden nooks and crannies. I peek over the banister down at the revelers below. Nobody looks up except for Nazarin. I nod at him, try to smile.

I feel strangely detached. Deep down, I’m aware I should be more scared about this. But it feels … inevitable. I’m following Tila’s breadcrumbs, seeing if they lead to the gingerbread house and the hungry witch.

The Queen opens a door. I can’t see anything inside but another dark, curving hallway.

“Put these on.” She passes me a small white box. I open it. Inside are small electrodes. She helps me attach them to my temples, the back of my neck, my heart. There’s a thin pair of dark glasses. I put them on, feeling silly.

“These will track your physical responses,” she says.

“All right.” I wonder if my mechanical heart will impact anything. They’ll know of it, I’m sure. They know everything; except, hopefully, that I have changed my face and taken my sister’s place.

“There. Now. Go down to the end of the hallway and turn left.”