I find myself momentarily grateful for all the time I spent with my dad in our sleepy town, even if it makes giving it up more painful. “My question is, how did Dad know Logan had that sign in his smithy?”

“It’s entirely possible Logan’s had it for a long time,” Ash says. “Your father could have made a trip to Scotland in recent years and seen it.”

I try to picture my dad negotiating with someone as awful as Logan, and I just can’t. “The thing is, my dad almost never left Pembrook, much less traveled abroad,” I say. “The only long trips he ever took were with his rock-climbing buddies from college.” But the moment the words leave my mouth, I realize how naïve I’ve been. “Oh god…rock-climbing buddies who I’ve never met, who would take trips to remote state parks and places without cell reception, or so my dad claimed.” I look at Ash. “How did I never question any of this before?”

Ash gives me a sympathetic smile, like even though he doesn’t fully understand the adjustment I’m going through, he knows it’s not easy.

“So the Pembrook masquerade ball,” I say, focusing back on the message. “Now we just need to figure out what message he was trying to send.”

“Where was your ball held?” Ash asks.

“Stella’s Inn, just outside of the center of town,” I say. “In a big refurbished barn. All of the town functions were held there. She hosted weddings and school dances and so on.”

Ash looks like he’s concentrating. “Layla and I have been to a handful of Strategia events with our parents in London, but none of them were held in barns, I’m afraid.”

“How about events held in an inn?” I ask.

“There are a few Strategia hotels that have event spaces in London, but those properties are all Lion-run,” Ash says with a worry line in his forehead. “If your father is pointing us toward a Strategia hotel, I’m not sure how we’d find out if they were hosting anything resembling a masquerade ball.”

I rub my temple. “What about a trade with someone who might be in the know about Lion events?”

“Maybe…,” he says, and his voice trails off. “Although digging for information on Lion-run properties will be tricky. I’m not sure a traditional trade is even possible.”

I study him, certain he’s running through ideas that he’s not saying out loud. “You said a traditional trade won’t work…is there a nontraditional one?”

Ash glances at me, but he doesn’t respond right away.

A few more seconds tick by in silence. “Ash?” I press.

“Wellll, that’s the thing,” Ash says, and I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever is making him hesitate. “There is a place in London where unallied Strategia socialize.”

“ ‘Unallied’?” I ask.