Ark’s heart pounded as he retreated down the stairs just in time to see Mucum’s head vanish beneath the walkway. He was in! It worked! Now his only problem was how to also vanish as the guard’s eyes tracked his every movement.

“Cooeee!” Ark and the guard turned their heads at the sound. It was an invasion that couldn’t have been timed better. One moment, the guard was glaring at the boy who was clearly off his tree, and the next, he was surrounded by a gaggle of gossiping girls, desperate for his autograph.

I owe you one, Diana! Not the best prayer in Arborium, but Ark was truly grateful. He ran for the hole, slipping his legs over the edge.

“We haven’t got all night!” said Mucum from the darkness below.

“Give me a chance! Our friend is too busy being adored by some tourists of the female variety.” If Ark wasn’t so terrified, he would have laughed. They were in. Next stop, the King.

Just as Ark was about to pull the manhole cover over his head, a voice stopped him dead.

“Oi! What do you think you’re doing?”

He froze. They were so close. It was over.

10• DANGER IN THE NORTH

Once again, Petronio felt he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“What is the boy doing here?” Grasp wouldn’t even refer to him by name. The High Councillor paced the rug-strewn floor, clearly ill at ease.

“Calm yourself. Isn’t it better than having him hidden in the utility room?” Lady Fenestra sat by the fireplace in a high oak chair, staring at her fingernails. Her lips curled upward in amusement.

“Is this your idea of a joke?” Grasp briefly stared at his errant son.

Petronio shrank back toward the door. It had been the lady’s suggestion to have him present at the meeting, but now he wasn’t so sure.

“The boy is … special.”

“In what way? Other than specially capable of letting go of a spy and making my men take part in a wild-goat chase? Lucky for him, the plumber’s boy decided to end it all.” He turned to Fenestra. “Aside from that little failing, maybe you’ve discovered talents that I have yet to see. I will concede that he has a general ruthlessness that is unusual in a mere youth.” Even his compliments were barbed.

“I’m glad you understand. Now, to the point.” Fenestra’s voice took on an edge that demanded total attention. “In a few short days, I need to know that your associates will follow you and rise against the King.”