But she simply couldn’t.

It wasn’t what they wanted.

Candi fluffed the new curls but not so hard that she ruined their shape. “You’re a wizard, Anniq. Thank you.”

“You’re so welcome,” said Anniq warmly as ever. The stylist had put even more streaks of indigo in her own hair, along with some pink ones, too. Maybe Candi could entice Anniq and Belinda to come work for her. And if they wouldn’t, she would have to ruin them, so that they could never work for anyone else, not even themselves. It would hurt Candi to do that, but if they were stubborn, if they had more ambition than was appropriate, what choice did she have?

A girl had to make a living.

Candi dug around in her tasteful leather bag, retrieved her phone, found the contact she was looking for. When a voice said, “Yes?” Candi said, “It’s me. I want an update and I better be happy with what I hear.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Tess

When Tess and Theo joined Jaime in his living room, Cricket and her mother were standing there.

“Cricket!” Tess said.

“Yes?” said Cricket.

“You’re here!”

“I know,” said Cricket. She was wearing a subdued outfit, for her, anyway. A brown shirt, black pants. And a little black mask that covered her eyes.

Oh.

“I’m really sorry about Karl, Cricket.”

“I dressed like him today,” said Cricket.

“I see that. I like it.”

Cricket looked down at the floor. “I’m sorry about Nine.”

“Me too,” said Tess.

“I know your mother is doing her best to find Karl and Nine,” Mrs. Moran said. “But it is very nice to see you, Tess. And you, Theo. I think you’ve grown taller.”

“That’s just his hair,” said Cricket.

“Cricket,” her mother warned.

“It’s true,” said Theo. “Tess did get taller, though.” He sounded grumpy about it. And then, astonishingly, he flexed his arm.

“Did you just try to make a muscle?” Cricket demanded.

“No.”

Tess rolled her eyes. None of them were going to be able to skip the dense part.

“Are you visiting Mrs. Cruz?” Theo asked.

“We live here! Jaime’s grandmother was gracious enough to get us a place,” Mrs. Moran said.

“That’s great. How do you like it?” Tess asked.

Mrs. Moran beamed. “We love it. So spacious. And new! Everything works, nothing leaks, and there’s a pool and a gym. It’s just amazing.”

“Except for the NEFARIOUS ACTORS,” said Cricket.

“Well, yes. Except for those.” Cricket’s mom pointed to the box that Jaime held. “Cricket noticed the bug problem. She’s . . . she’s been collecting them.” She wrinkled her nose.

“Bugs? What kind?” said Theo. “Bugs are awesome.”

“WIGGLE WORMS,” said Cricket.

“Not familiar with those,” said Theo. He opened one of the flaps. Tess peered inside. Silverfish.

“I broke them all,” Cricket said darkly.