Michael glanced at Alice. He spoke quietly enough that Jen wouldn’t hear. “Speaking as the ones who would probably lose a fight, we can hardly object to that. But I notice Ellen and Garret aren’t here yet.”

He has a way of getting right to the heart of things, doesn’t he? “I’ve left them for last,” Alice said. “If the rest of us all agree, it might make things easier.”

Michael nodded. “Well, you’ve got my support, for what it’s worth. And I think your cat has distracted Jen.”

Ashes, Alice noted, had consented to receiving a belly rub.

“All right,” Alice said. “I’ll bring Ellen and Garret through.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

REVELATION

A QUICK PINCH of the fabric brought Ellen and Garret to Mr. Wurms’ table. Ellen was pressed tight against Garret’s side, their fingers interlocked. When they saw the others waiting for them, they stopped.

“Garret,” Alice said. “Ellen.”

“What’s this?” Garret said. He stepped forward, away from Ellen. “A tea party?”

“We’ve decided we’d rather talk about things than fight amongst ourselves,” Alice said. “We were hoping you would join us.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Garret said.

“That’s what I’m hoping to find out,” Alice said. “But you have to sit at the table.”

“Listen to Sister Alice,” Dex said. “We should not have to hurt one another just because our masters disagree.”

“Talking can’t hurt,” said Michael.

“Hmph,” Jen said again. It seemed to be her favorite expression. She tickled Ashes’ belly. “I mean. We can always start the fight afterward.”

“It’s too bad we’re not putting it to a vote,” Garret said. “In case you’ve forgotten, our masters sent us here to do a job, and we were specifically told that Alice might be under the influence of the monster. What makes the rest of you think this is a good idea?”

“Garret, maybe we should—” Ellen began.

“Don’t you start.” Garret looked at the assembled apprentices. “Is this what happened in Esau’s fortress after I was . . . inconvenienced? This girl just took over?”

“Sister Alice saved us,” Dex said. “None of us would have escaped alive if not for her.”

“She’s right,” Isaac said.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” Garret said. “I don’t recall anyone inviting you.”

“Alice needed my help,” Isaac said.

“Very touching. You know, I have had about enough of this. Ellen, let’s get things started.”

Ellen stepped closer to Garret’s side, her halo dim and flickering. “Dex is right, she did save us back in the labyrinth. I owe her.”

“You owe her,” Garret said. His face grew dark with rage. “She didn’t do anything to save me.”

“I would have,” Alice said, “if I could.”

“Just sit down,” Ellen said. “What can it hurt to try?”