In minutes they’d be off of the royal grounds.

And, in moments, they’d be hidden—lost among the throngs of the otherworldly citizens of Solas.

Zin dropped down right in front of Eva and Muthr.

“That’s far enough, Eva Nine,” he said, waving another pillar guard remote. “I’ve orders from the queen to detain you both for further questioning. Please deactivate the pillar guard and hand me the remote.”

Muthr’s head spun around, taking in the situation. Royal guardsmen were closing in from every direction. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, “but my daughter and I are free to go wherever we—”

“Don’t bother. He’s just a liar,” Eva said, facing Zin. “You lied to me!”

“I did not lie.” Zin’s voice was firm as he crossed his many arms. “I told you I would try all means necessary. That entailed my requesting your release from Her Majesty—and she denied it. I apologize.”

“I apologize too,” Eva said, narrowing her eyes at him. Outside, hordes of royal guards were clambering up the steps leading to the museum’s front entrance, with their sonic boomrods ready. And she could hear the click of the other guardsmen’s heels on the polished floor as they approached from behind. Without turning, she figured they were halfway down the hall.

“Don’t do it, Eva,” Zin said. “You must surrender.”

“Pillar guard,” Eva commanded, “get Zin’s controller.”

Zin’s eyes went wide with fright, and he zipped away, dodging a swing from the pillar guard’s massive clawed hand. Fluttering through the Great Hall, Zin activated the other pillar guards, commanding them to capture the robot and the girl and disable their rogue pillar guard.

Eva watched the enormous figures carved in the pillars open their glowing eyes and come to life.

As they pulled their gigantic bodies free from their roosts, the pillar guards filled the Great Hall with their blatting calls. They stepped out onto the floor in perfect unison. This caused the remaining museum visitors to panic and scatter in all directions. The royal guardsmen spread out through the confusion, fanning around the giant automatons. The pillar guards marched out into the center of the museum, crushing everything in their paths.

Muthr scanned the chaos. “There is no way out, Eva,” she said.

“Come on! This way!” Eva yanked Muthr toward the Hall of Artifacts. The nearest pillar guards gave chase, stepped over them, and turned around to block their path.

Eva and Muthr scooted between the giants’ stomping legs. One of the pillar guards reached down to grab Eva, but its huge clawed hand missed and sunk deep into the tiled floor. As she moved to avoid the jagged claws, Eva let go of Muthr’s hand. She dashed behind the attacking pillar guard and hid behind the jackvest display.