I gasped and turned in the dark to find Alabaster Rennington leaning against a stone wall, apparently quite comfortable in the black that shrouded her.

“They are not here,” Alabaster said. “I saw Niall come down and set them free, though he did not see me. I’m sure he thought Isther would no longer mind his intervention since she is now completely insane. You did not fracture her, Aurelie, you crushed her to bits.” Alabaster chuckled at this notion.

I could not tell what the girl wanted from me or why she stood in the darkness alone. I shivered as I remembered Chrysanthemum’s habit of frequenting nighttime cells with no accompaniment.

Alabaster chuckled yet again, though I could not make out the details of her features without adequate light. “You seem so worried, Cousin. But your anxiety is wasted on me. For I am quite content to spend time in such places. Now…I recommend you go about your business before you give away my secrets. Besides, half the men of Lykke should be looking for you about now, don't you think?”

I left the dungeon with much haste and more questions than when I arrived. Just outside the kitchen, I found Niall, who wrapped his arms around me and squeezed.

“My dear Cousin, how I worried. Only my father could wrest Isther from your doorway, and he did so by enlisting many pyres who I am sure are nursing various wounds today.” He held me at arms length. “I still have not found CJ. And I am afraid I may not, for it is usually Isther who keeps watch over her, and with Isther locked in her own chambers…I fear no one has even noticed CJ is gone.” He shook his head. “I thought she could go to the Fortress with a chaperone, not as a sole adventurer. Anything could happen to her on such a journey, Aurelie. My concern abounds.”

I did my best to exhale, for finding CJ would not be easy. In fact, it was probably impossible. She could have gone any number of ways to any number of places for any number of reasons.

Niall copied my example, letting a long breath out. “Oh,” he said, an idea dawning in his mind, “What of your special pyre friend? Perhaps he could help us locate CJ? He has many connections, it seems, and pyres travel much faster than humans. Could you ask him, Aurelie? Though I still do not understand how it is you manage to ask anyone for anything without using words. But you are somehow the most efficient communicator I know.”