“Someone like me,” I said. “Somebody who can work with poisonous plants and not be affected. All the things I’ve found out about this house and my family lead to Medea and to that.” I pointed to the drawing of the Heart. “The people I’ve met since I’ve been in Rhinebeck know it’s out there, but they don’t mess with it. They don’t even want to talk about it, like it’s an open secret. They make it seem like it’s my responsibility. Medea was the Heart’s original caretaker. She could do everything I can.” I stood up. There was only one thing I wanted to do. “Come on. I want to look at the Heart again.”

Marie started to protest, but I headed downstairs before she could say anything. Karter and Marie followed me out the front door and across the lawn. I didn’t even pause as I approached the hidden trail. The vines and branches parted.

“Stay close to me,” I reminded Karter.

“I know the drill.” He glanced at Marie. “What about her?”

“I’m good,” said Marie.

I hadn’t asked about the limits of her power. She didn’t seem too worried for her safety, so I pressed on.

About halfway to the garden, I noticed the shadows growing long. The sun had been at the horizon when we’d ducked onto the path, but after the email from Professor Kent and what I’d learned from that ancient document, I couldn’t wait another day, another hour.

When we came into the clearing, I took out my phone and switched on the flashlight. Karter did the same. The trees leaned away to reveal the gate and I unlocked it, nudging him and Marie through. It clanged shut behind us.

Even in the encroaching darkness, I could see Marie’s eyes alight with wonder. She’d been honest with me when she said she’d never been inside the garden.

“Wait till you see this,” I said, pulling her toward the Poison Garden.

Devil’s Pet wound itself around the moon gate.

“We are going straight to the back wall,” I said. I turned to Karter. “Wait here until I tell you to come through.”

“I could . . . ​help,” Marie offered. She made a motion like she was picking up a baby and rocking it in her arms.

I looked at her and then to Karter. She was suggesting she could pick him up and rush him through the Poison Garden. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. How ridiculous would it be to see Karter carried around like a small child? He was way too scary to let that happen, so I shook my head no.

“How could you help?” Karter asked.