He marched to his usual post, and Sophie slipped under the blankets and opened her memory log. Alden had given her the familiar teal book with the silver moonlark on the cover after she’d discovered that the Black Swan had hidden secrets in her brain, so she’d have a way to keep track of any that triggered. And as she flipped through the pages, it was crazy to see how long it’d been since she’d recorded any of those kinds of discoveries. For months, everything she’d projected were clues and secrets she’d found on her own.

She closed her eyes and slowly projected everything Keefe had shown her, zooming in on the details that seemed most important, like Lady Gisela’s hairpin. The silver-white stone was smooth and oval, but when the light hit it, thin veins of blue shot through in an asterisk pattern.

“Dinnertime!” Grady said, making her jump as he crossed her room carrying a tray with a bottle of lushberry juice and a bowl of what looked like pink spaghetti.

“Already?” Sophie glanced out her windows and sure enough, the sun was setting. “Ugh—I almost missed my check-in with Keefe. These are going to be hard to remember.”

“I think I’ll sit right here, in case you learn anything important from him,” Grady told her, plopping down next to her on the bed and setting the tray in her lap.

Sophie was positive his real motive involved a whole lot of spying. But she closed her eyes and pretended he wasn’t there as she stretched out her mind.

Really bad time right now, Keefe told her.

You’re okay, though, right?

Yeah, I just need to pay attention.

She could feel his mind trying to close down and concentrate, so she didn’t ask any more questions. But a sour taste coated her tongue.

“He can’t talk right now,” she told Grady as she pushed the tray of food away.

“If he was in danger, I’m sure he would’ve told you,” Grady said, nudging her dinner back into her lap. “At least try a few bites. Flori told me it’s a rare fruit called threadleens, and she grew them especially for you. When did you guys start talking?”

Sophie stirred her dinner, hoping Grady wouldn’t notice that she didn’t answer. “Did you know she’s Calla’s niece?”

Grady nodded. “I swear the Panakes sprouts twice as many blossoms every time Flori sings.”

Sophie smiled as she pictured that, and she took a small bite of the pink strings—and while it definitely wasn’t as delicious as starkflower stew, it tasted spicy and tangy and made her want to keep eating.

Grady scooped up her memory log as she took another forkful. “Is this the pin Keefe’s mom cut him with?”

“Yeah—any idea where Lady Gisela would’ve bought it?”

“Not really. Lots of places make hairpins with starstones—though I’m pretty sure the stones usually flash with green veins.”

“She told Keefe it was rare.”

“Well, I’ll ask some of the jewelers I know in Atlantis, but I’m betting whoever made it won’t admit it. See how there aren’t any etchings on the metal? Most artists leave a craftsman mark, like a signature.”

He flipped to the next page, which showed a wide view of the door—the cold metal surrounded by snow and shadows.

“The star only rises at Nightfall,” he mumbled, pointing to the runes carved into the doorframe. “That’s what these say.”

Sophie repeated the phrase. “Do you think it’s a riddle?”

“Riddles usually lead to a What am I? But I’m sure the word ‘star’ isn’t a coincidence.”

“Could it be a quote from something, then? Like how the Black Swan used ‘follow the pretty bird across the sky’ from that old dwarven poem?”

“If it is, I’ve never heard it before. But I’m definitely not an expert on those kinds of things. Maybe the Collective can show it to their dwarves to see if it sounds familiar.”

Sophie hoped they would—though she was pretty sure she could guess at least part of the meaning.

Whatever Lady Gisela had built.

Whatever she’d locked away with Keefe’s blood.

It was going to make the world a much darker place.

FORTY-SIX

PLEASE TELL ME you’ve learned something we can use, Sophie transmitted as soon as the first rays of dawn sliced through her bedroom.

Well, good morning to you too, Keefe thought. Is this how these extra check-ins are going to be? No ‘hello’? No ‘I missed you’? No ‘I can’t stop thinking about you’?—and don’t even try denying that last one.

Sadly, she couldn’t—but not for the reason he was teasing. He’d told her during their final check-in the night before that he’d heard Fintan get an urgent hail on his Imparter and use the word “escaped” during the conversation. But when she’d asked if that meant they were planning something for Wylie, Keefe had to go because Alvar and Ruy were fighting.

You’re so cute when you worry, he told her.

Sophie grit her teeth. Be very glad I haven’t figured out how to mentally smack you. It’s on my list of goals.

Fine. Forgive me for trying to have a little fun after yesterday’s drama. I guess Fintan’s blaming Ruy and Brant for Wylie’s escape, since Brant burned one of Wylie’s bonds, and Ruy was the one who was supposed to clear out all of Wylie’s pockets. Brant doesn’t seem to care, but Ruy’s flipping out because Fintan’s threatening to change their role in some big project coming up—and no, I don’t know what the project is. So Ruy spent most of last night trying to convince Alvar to say that all four of them share the blame for what happened, and Alvar won’t.

No honor among criminals, huh?

Nope, Alvar’s all about watching his own back. So Ruy left to try to talk Trix and Umber into it. I’m assuming that means I was right and Umber was the fourth kidnapper.

Did you ever tell me what her ability is?

I probably forgot. She’s a Shade. A freakishly powerful one. She puts Bangs Boy to shame—and she doesn’t have stupid hair.

I thought she always hid under her cloak.

She does. But as the crowned king of good-hair land, I can tell when I’m talking to one of my rightful subjects.

That might be the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.