The university buildings were very confusing. It was a bit like being in a massive version of Truelove House. There were long corridors and dark passageways, little sets of winding stairs leading to courtyards and cloisters that led to other little winding sets of stairs. It wasn’t long before Effie and Maximilian were completely lost and there was no sign of the others. Perhaps they should have turned right, rather than left, at the bottom of that last set of stairs.

“Do you have any idea where the chapel even is?” said Maximilian.

“Nope,” said Effie.

“Is there a map anywhere?”

“Back at the main entrance,” said Effie. “But I don’t know where that is from here either.”

“I thought interpreters were supposed to be good at reading maps?”

“They are if they have one.”

“All right. I’ll use the Spectacles of Knowledge. Hang on while I get them out of my knapsack. I had to put them away when we were in Special Collections because they were getting too—”

Suddenly, voices emerged from a window somewhere above them. One sounded Russian. Another sounded sort of familiar. A bit sulky. Effie and Maximilian instinctively shrunk into the darkness, and Effie cast the Shadows.

“I should find it fairly easy to kidnap the Truelove girl,” said the familiar voice. “I’m friends with her father. At least, I think we’re still friends. There was an unfortunate incident where I—”

“And then, darlink, you will bring her to me.”

“But—”

“You don’t think there’s anything wrong with us having our own tiny little separate plan, do you?”

“Well—”

“Your hair, darlink, looks so marvelous, today. And how is your beautiful book coming along? I hear it is going to be magnificent.”

“Um . . . Yes, well—gosh, a little warm in here, isn’t it? Shall I open the window a bit more . . . ?”

“Some of this champagne will chill you, darlink. But first let us talk about this book of yours. Remember our agreement? You will be author of the new universe, and I will be its queen. I will have total power, and you will serve me.”

“But Skylurian said . . .”

“Her plan was beautiful indeed, but now she is not here, and so you need a new queen. You must not forget to write me properly, darlink. Make it clear I am ruler of all—and give me unlimited powers.”

“But my editor . . .”

“I am your editor now, darlink. And don’t you forget it.”

“And Professor Forestfloor . . .”

“You can completely ignore him.”

There was a popping noise, and the clink of glasses.

“Haha! That tickles.”

“This should cool you down a little. . . .”

There was the sound of a window being closed, and then the voices disappeared.

Effie and Maximilian looked at each other.

“Was that who I think it was?” said Maximilian?

“Terrence Deer-Hart,” said Effie. “Yep. And Lady Tchainsaw, too, from the sound of it.”

“Who’s she again?