The next morning, we’re up early to head back to the lake. Zora and River install themselves back in our “mission control” room, and I stride confidently toward the skis. But Tobias stops me with a touch. He seems back to his old self, his head held high.

“Not that way. Today, we’re not wasting any more time.” He leads us from the basement into the garage, where there are four gleaming hovercraft-snowmobiles.

“Wicked!” says Kai.

“I thought we’d take the fast route,” says Toby.

“This is amazing!” Ashley clambers on to the nearest machine, pulling a helmet down low over her ears.

It is really cool, but I don’t have a clue how to use one of these.

Jinx reads my mind.

>>Don’t worry, Lacey, I got this.

He’s back to his normal black color now, having shed his silver skin. He crawls into the baku compartment, where he plugs into the machine. The engine revs, and Kai lets out a loud whoop. I straddle the padded leather seat, gripping the handlebars—but Jinx is the one doing the driving. I’m just along for the ride.

It’s a lot easier to find the way this time, and thrilling. The snowmobiles hover over the snow, smooth as silk, and the cold wind rushes past as we zip through the trees. The machines are pretty nimble, and Jinx is an expert driver.

As we approach the lake, it’s hard to believe that the forest in front of us is an illusion. Even when Tobias sends Aero to fly high above the dome, his video feed shows only miles of trees.

It’s disconcerting.

But still not as disconcerting as the actual dome. Once we pass through the barrier, we’re face-to-face with a giant opaque wall, so tall you can’t see the curve from the ground. The only place someone could build something so huge is out here in the wilderness.

I put my hands up against the wall. Are you inside, Monica?

>>We’ll find her. And if we don’t, we’ll keep searching. We’ll help your mom…and stop Eric in his tracks.

His voice sounds so fierce, it gives me courage.

“So, how do we get in?” Kai asks, ever the practical one. He bangs his fist against the wall where we had seen the crack in the photograph, and I cringe—what if it was electrified or sets off an alarm or something?

Tobias obviously feels the same way, as he barks out, “Dude. Stop.”

Kai shrugs, giving us his best, “And?” expression.

>>Follow me.

Jinx uses his speaker so everyone can hear.

We watch as Jinx darts along the edge of the wall, staying close to the perimeter. Every now and then, his tail reaches out and touches the wall, sending electric sparks flying up the surface.

“This doesn’t make sense,” mutters Tobias from behind me.