“I figured it out long ago. But this isn’t the time to discuss it. I think the message the governor received is there on his desk.”

Henry conjured a small light in his hand and moved to the desk. Even as close as I was, I could barely sense his magic, and I admired his control. We bent over the piece of paper together and saw that the message was from a downtown garrison. The rebels had struck that night while the officers were at the ball and many of the soldiers were attending the theater, and the situation had become desperate.

“That would explain the rapidly disappearing officers,” Henry whispered.

I ran my fingers lightly over the blotter, feeling the indentations from a pen. “It looks like he’s written something here recently—his orders in response?”

“Let’s find out.” He waved his hand over the blotter, and letters became visible, glowing against the paper. “Forget about fighting the people,” the words said. “Seize the machines. I don’t care if they’re technically legal. Tear up every building in that area to find them. It’s the only way to end the rebellion.”

Henry and I looked up from the page to each other. “Oh, no,” I breathed. “He’s right, though. The machines are what give us a chance against magic. If they take the machines, it’s over. We have to warn them.”

“I’m assuming you know how to get to them, and that they’d trust you?”

“Yes, I know them, and I think they trust me. We just have to get to them in time.”

“And then find a way to hide the machines or get them away. How many do they have?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen them all, and I don’t know where they all are. But there are a number, and they’re not the sort of thing one could slip under one’s coat and walk off with. They’re large and noisy.”

“We’ll get away from this ball as soon as possible, and then we’ll go warn the rebels.” He pulled out a pocketknife and carefully slit the top page off the blotter, folding it and tucking it away in his pocket before returning the message to its original position.

He tied his mask back on, speaking as he did so. “Get back to the ballroom. I’ll join you soon, and when we can leave without looking suspicious, we will.” With a wry smile, he added, “When all this is over, you and I have much to discuss.”

He headed for the window, and I followed him. “Are you going to dismiss me for being a rebel spy?” I asked.

He paused with one leg over the sill. “Heavens, no. I think it’s excellent.” Then he disappeared over the side.