Through the tumble and whirlwind of their journey back, Isaac held on tight to Amelie so as not to lose her. He’d almost lost her in that last second.

They landed back in Isaac’s room as if they’d been dumped out of a bag. It took Isaac a full minute to realize they were back, the world was spinning so furiously.

Amelie shook herself and then put her trembling hands over her eyes.

“It’s all right,” Isaac said to her. “It’s okay. We made it.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “You know I would never leave you behind. Never. I’d rather stay behind with you than leave you there alone.”

She dropped her hands and looked at him with wide blue eyes. Then, slowly, she smiled and said softly, “It was kind of neat, that place. The whole experience. Except for that last bit, almost getting lost. But I’m okay.”

He smiled back. Then he stood and walked to the window. “Wasn’t it daylight when we left? I think the last time when I traveled I was only gone a few minutes in Rookskill time, but . . .”

Amelie stood and turned to the window. “Oh! It’s grown so dark so fast.”

“It looks like a storm is coming.”

“It looks like a storm is already here.” Amelie was at his side. “The sky. Look at the sky.”

The clouds, black and purple, boiled, covering the sky and hiding the sun so that it was as dark as twilight. A fierce wind shuddered the window glass. The ground was covered in icy spittle. The forest, now right up against the castle, was thornier and taller than the castle’s highest tower. The branches writhed and tossed in the wind, and the stones cracked and groaned.

“I’m thinking about Leo’s prediction,” Isaac said, as he exchanged a glance with Amelie. “Remember?”

She nodded. “That a storm was coming. A storm to end all storms.” She hugged herself, then winced and reached into her pocket. “Oh, I meant to put this back.” She held up the Adder Stone cuff. “You should take it.”

Isaac raised his hands. “But I . . .” and then he remembered his father’s words. They must be guarded at all times. He took the cuff and twisted it in his hand, examining it—the smooth variegated stone—then slipped it into his pocket with the watch. Was this his clue? Or was his clue still in the ledger—which he didn’t finish reading? He’d gotten as far as reading something about Rookskill, but what? “Amelie, I need help finding some information.”

Amelie waited, watching him.