“I’m not exactly sure,” I say, glancing at my cell phone, still embarrassed by what Matteo said. It’s 4:36 a.m. “But the gist of it is that my dad’s been leaving me clues since I left the Academy, and one of them is apparently located at that ball.”

Layla looks startled. “And I take it you four have decided it’s a good idea to break into a Lion Family event?”

“It’s unfortunately unavoidable,” I say, because I’ve been wondering the same thing—why would my dad send me into a Lion event, of all places?

“And the plan?” Layla asks.

“Still working it out,” I say vaguely. “But if you have a phone, or some way I can reach you, I can keep you updated.”

“I would say so,” Layla says like she’s not at all pleased by this development. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but is there anything else I should know?”

There is something comforting about her familiar reaction. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see her again, and here she is drinking tea and reprimanding me. “The ball is the main thing. And oh,” I say. “The Ferryman is hunting my dad.”

Once again Layla and Matteo exchange a look.

“We heard.” Layla’s expression turns sympathetic. “Matteo and I will do what we can to help.”

Matteo averts his eyes, dismissing Layla’s attempt to smooth things over.

“But the clock is ticking. We need to be efficient and smart,” Layla continues, nearly repeating what her twin said word for word.

The mention of a clock prompts me to look at my phone again: 4:43 a.m. Before I can say anything, Layla nods.

“I know. You have to get back,” she says. “Give us your number and keep us updated as the plan for tonight develops. I’m certain you will need us in some capacity.”

I open the door to the apartment carrying hot chocolates, coffees, and a bag full of breakfast pastries and almost walk straight into Aarya. I let out a small yelp of surprise and barely catch the cardboard drink carrier before it crashes to the floor.

“Geez,” Aarya grumbles, but her crankiness instantly drops away when she sees what I’m carrying.

“Hot chocolate?” I offer with a smile, and hand her the bag and the drinks, which she gladly accepts. Despite feeling enlivened by Layla and Matteo’s help, I can’t stop thinking about what Matteo said about my aunt Jo and about me being selfish. I take off my coat and gloves, pulling the Sunday newspaper I picked up at the coffee shop from under my arm. I hang my coat, ready to find a comfy place to read and eat pastries, but Aarya blocks my path to the living room.

“You decided to get up at five in the morning and go to the café?” she says with an assessing look.