“Don’t tell me you were careful,” Sandor ordered when his speech finally wound down. “If you were careful, you would’ve waited for me. After what just happened to Wylie—”

“Keefe wasn’t a part of that,” she interrupted. “And they needed you at Foxfire, trying to figure out how the Neverseen got into the Silver Tower—not wasting time on me.”

“Protecting you will never be a waste of time. You’ve also proven that you can’t be left without supervision, so Lur and Mitya are taking over the search at the tower. Gnomish senses aren’t quite as keen, but they’ll be able to work much faster. And you will not leave my side from this moment forward—I don’t care what any cute boys leave on your pillow.”

Sophie’s cheeks burned. “It wasn’t about that. He—”

Sandor held up his hands. “Whatever your reasons, the answer will forever remain, I go where you go.”

“Which means you’ll be seeing a lot of these walls,” Grady said as he stalked into the room with Edaline. Sophie opened her mouth to argue, but he held up his hand. “We’ll discuss it in the morning. Right now, I want you to eat some dinner and go to sleep.”

Edaline snapped her fingers, conjuring up a tray of something neon orange and gloopy. Fortunately, elvin food always tasted better than it looked.

Sophie sighed as they each kissed her on the cheek and closed her in her room with Sandor guarding the door. If they were freaking out this much about her sneaking off to meet with Keefe, she couldn’t imagine what they’d do if they found out she’d also visited Eternalia. . . .

You okay? she transmitted, stretching out her mind to Fitz after she’d eaten and showered and climbed into bed.

Yeah. I’m good. Though Grizel says I’m now required to participate in Sandor’s dancing humiliation. There was lots of talk of matching silver pants.

Sophie giggled. Maybe you and Sandor can work out some choreography.

Hey—if I have to dance, you are SO dancing with me. In the frilliest, sparkliest gown Biana can find in her closet. And heels.

She knew Fitz was only teasing—but the idea sounded . . . interesting. Well, the dancing part—not the stupid dress.

What about you? he asked. How bad is the punishment?

I’m still awaiting sentencing.

Yikes. Waiting’s the worst. Sorry.

No—I’m sorry. I’m the one who got you into this.

Nah, I chose to go. And I’m glad I did. I think I finally get where Keefe’s coming from. That memory . . .

I know. I’m pretty sure I’ll be having nightmares about it for a while. Though that’s still less terrifying than imagining what’ll happen to him if he gets caught.

Seriously, I think you were right when you told me that we’re probably going to have to figure out a way to save him by the end of this. I mean, this isn’t the kind of thing he can just walk away from. If he tries to leave, they will come after him—and that’s assuming he gets out before they figure out what he’s doing.

Sophie reached for Ella. How do we save him when we don’t even know where he is?

No idea, Fitz admitted. But . . . Keefe is dead-on about one thing. You do always find the solution.

Gee—no pressure there.

I know. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to help. I just meant . . . try not to stress about it too much. If we really need to help him, you’ll figure it out.

How can you be so sure?

She could almost feel the warmth of his smile radiating through the connection between them as he told her, Because you’re Sophie Foster. That’s what you do.

• • •

“Well, at least you obeyed one thing I told you,” Grady said, startling Sophie awake. “I think this is the latest you’ve slept as long as you’ve lived here—without sedatives, at least.”

Sophie rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”

“Lunchtime.”

“LUNCHTIME?” Sophie groaned as he opened her shades, flooding the room with sunlight. “Ugh—I slept through my check-in with Keefe.”

“Good,” Grady said.

“No—not good. Now I can’t make sure he’s okay until dinnertime.”

“You should be more worried about you. We need to discuss your punishment.”

Sophie sighed and sat up, twisting her Sucker Punch bracelet. “I’m sorry I worried you. But . . . Fitz and I weren’t actually in danger.”

“Every minute you spend with That Boy is dangerous,” Grady insisted. “If he wants to risk his own life—that’s his choice. But I’m not letting him drag you—or Fitz—down with him.”

“He’s not dragging us down—he gave us crucial information. Why can’t you see that?”

“Actually, I can. I was up late giving Mr. Forkle a thorough update on everything you told me. He’s asked you to record all of your memories—especially the one about that door. And the whole Collective will be brainstorming ways to prevent this new alliance from forming. They think your plan to sabotage Dimitar and Fintan’s meeting is very clever. But none of that changes the fact that you met up with a member of the Neverseen without permission and without protection—that’s never going to be okay.”

“Neither is grounding me for meeting with a friend,” Sophie argued. “Especially since I left a note!”

“Yeah, let’s talk about that.” Grady scooted her lunch tray closer. “Your mom and I were right downstairs. You could’ve told us what you were doing. But you chose to scribble a hasty message and sneak away. Why do you think that is?”

Sophie hated when he made good points.

“I didn’t have time to deal with anyone trying to stop me,” she mumbled. “I know you guys want to keep me safe—but Keefe is putting his life on the line to help us. So . . . if he gives me instructions, I’m going to follow them—grounding or no. Same goes for whatever plan we come up with to ruin the ogre–Neverseen meeting—and if the Black Swan need me to search more of Wylie’s memories, or to check on Prentice, or meet with Gethen, or—”

“I’m aware that you might find some extenuating circumstances,” Grady interrupted. “In fact, I’ve already assured Mr. Forkle that if something urgent comes up, all he has to do is hail me. I’d prefer he bring the problem here, but if he can’t, I’ll allow you to go with Sandor.”