The light ripples like we’re underwater. I can’t breathe for a moment, like suddenly I’m underwater too.

My heart catches in my throat.

Because we’ve found it. I didn’t know what we were looking for, but this is unmistakably it. The next hallway is a dead end. The wall is made up of a solid panel of light, the source of the strange blue-silver hue. It moves like the surface of the ocean, like something alive, like it’s breathing.

I’ve seen it once before, just a glimpse in the scrying mirror before I spoke to my brother that final time.

But the way it calls to me is unmistakably familiar. It tugs at a deep spot in the center of my rib cage, pulling me closer, begging me for something I don’t know if I can give it.

I curse under my breath and squeeze my eyes tight to hide the pain. Lena gasps sharply. Maxine just laughs.

I’m about to take another step to approach it, when a fist at my collar yanks me back.

Maxine pulls me around the corner, and the three of us press our backs to the wall. The dirt is cool against my shoulder blades. Maxine widens her eyes. “Shh,” she whispers. “Do you hear that?”

It’s difficult to make out over the sound of our breathing and the hammering of my own heart, but floating from out of the darkness come voices. Low, male voices.

We wink out the lights between our hands, and we wait.

It doesn’t take long for the men to appear. They come from an adjacent hallway, blessedly missing us. I don’t know how I’d explain myself if found. The thought terrifies me.

They stream out into the rotunda of space in front of the veil. I peek my head out a fraction of an inch to get a better look at the scene.

All of the men from the party seem to be there, led by the duke, who is standing directly in front of the veil, facing the party guests, each of whom holds a candle, flickering against the dark, their faces still masked.

The scene reminds me of a Christmas Eve church service. The air down here bites like December in New York.

With the masks and the low light it’s nearly impossible to find Finn and Oliver, but after scanning the group for a moment, I spot them. They’re standing in the back of the crowd next to each other. Oliver is bouncing one heel against the dirt floors. He’s anxious. Finn stands perfectly still, which is more unsettling.

“Gentlemen,” the duke declares. A hush falls over the crowd. “It’s time to begin.”

Each man lowers his candle, holding it still at his chest, as if singing a hymn. Oliver looks around, confused, then follows suit.