Using an amber amulet with markings similar to those on the padlocks at the castle, she unsealed a hidden door adjacent to the restrooms. “Need to use the facilities, sir?” she asked.

Coralis scowled. “I may be old enough to be your great-great-grandfather, but my kidneys work just fine.”

“I meant nothing by it, sir. It’s just that it must have been quite a trip for you.”

“I have witnessed the horror of the modern-day restroom and have no intention of subjecting myself to such humiliation,” he growled.

“Ah.” She tried unsuccessfully to suppress a rueful smile. “I think you’ll find my water closet a wee bit more accommodating than those on the plane.”

She pointed to a door marked WC, and as the door closed behind him, he said to himself: “This is more like it.”

Upon exiting, he nodded humbly. “Thank you,” he said. “It’s good to see the world has not lost all sense of civility and decency.”

Molly stifled a laugh as she led him down the exposed staircase. It was thirty-seven steps down—no landings. “How was your trip?” she asked.

“My trip was the painful equivalent of having four teeth extracted,” he grumbled. “Why people choose to travel like that is beyond comprehension. Crying babies, cramped seats. The only bright spot was that people had their heads buried in electronic gadgets—no mindless chitchat. But there are much better ways to travel. Surely this ‘emergency situation’ isn’t as dire as all that.”

“We’ll see.” At the bottom of the staircase was another door. “I have a feelin’ yer gonna eat them words.”

Coralis was about to contradict her—but when he saw the two figures on the other side of the door, he realized Molly had been right.

“Pass the saltshaker,” he said.

Chapter Twelve

Though not as extravagant as Coralis’s Kunstkammer at the castle, Molly’s was nonetheless impressive. If one knew where to look, some of the rarest curiosities in the natural world were available from New York City merchants. It was obvious Molly knew where to look. The twenty-by-twenty room was a Wandmaker’s gold mine. Coralis had seen it all before, of course—except for the unusual bundle in the far corner.

Molly adjusted the blanket that was wrapped around the two sleeping figures. A rodent-sized ball of blue fur uncurled from her slumber and yawned. She blinked rapidly, taking in the sight of not one but two adults gawking down at them—then bit her still-sleeping companion on the arm.

“Ouch!” The boy rubbed his arm, then his eyes. “Oh!” He scrambled to sit up, suddenly aware that the Wand Master had arrived.

“We have company,” said the hedgehog.

“It can speak!” Coralis said as he leaned in for a closer look.

“And bite,” Molly warned a second before the rodent nipped at him. “She’s not very happy, I’m afraid.”