Unless this whole thing is a lie to waste our time, Sophie thought quietly.

Also a possibility. But there’s too much potential to ignore it.

What about all that stuff he said about getting into the Silver Tower? Sophie asked. Do you think the ability he hinted at was a Shade?

That would be nice, since we’re already having Mr. Tam search the tower. But Wylie’s assaulters included a Shade, a Vanisher, a Guster, and a Psionipath—all abilities you do not possess. And Gethen did a brilliant job of blocking me from his memories. The energy in his mind felt different. So much stronger and purer. All this idleness must be building his reserves.

“I’m assuming the anxiety I’m feeling from both of you is related to whatever secret conversation you’re having?” Oralie asked, reminding them they weren’t alone. “And I’m not foolish enough to expect you to tell me what you’re discussing. But I’m hoping you might be willing to answer a few simple yes-or-no questions.”

“We’ll do our best,” Mr. Forkle promised.

“Thank you. So first, I’m guessing you’ve uncovered some sort of clue with starstones, and that’s why the word triggered such a strong reaction?”

“Yes,” Mr. Forkle said. “We recovered a memory.”

“From whom?” Oralie asked.

“That’s not a yes-or-no question,” Sophie pointed out.

“I suppose it’s not. This is going to be harder than I thought,” Oralie admitted. “Okay. Do I know the person?”

“Yes,” Mr. Forkle said. “But the rememberer is less important than the remembered. In the memory, Lady Gisela used a hairpin set with what she called ‘a rare starstone’ to light leap to a Neverseen hideout we’ve currently been unable to locate. And she implied that the stone would be able to guide any user to the same location. But as of this moment, the hairpin is missing.”

“Thank you for not making me pry that out of you through yes-or-no questions,” Oralie told him. “Does this mean you might be open to answering a few others?”

“I’ll answer anything you ask,” Mr. Forkle said. “But know that I’m speaking to you as my ally, not as a Councillor.”

“I assume that means you don’t want me to share the information with the rest of the Council?”

“My instinct is to say yes—but I might be willing to be persuaded if you gave me good reasons why they can be trusted. Our order is not secretive because we enjoy shadows and games. Merely because it was necessary to avoid certain hindrances.”

“Fair enough,” Oralie said. “It’s definitely my hope for our groups to work freely together. But until we reach that point, I accept the need for discretion. And so you know, every guard here is well aware that anything they’ve seen and heard today can never be shared.”

“We swore an oath,” Righty chimed in, and the other goblins murmured their agreement.

“Thank you,” Mr. Forkle told them.

“Back to questions, then,” Oralie said, letting several seconds slip away before she spoke. “Do you believe Lady Gisela killed Cyrah?”

It was the question Sophie had been trying not to ask, and she stopped breathing as she waited for Mr. Forkle’s answer.

“If Gethen wasn’t lying, it is a possibility,” Mr. Forkle said quietly. “But . . . if starstones are important to the Neverseen, it’s also logical that Lady Gisela wasn’t the only member who utilized them. And it’s important to note that Gethen said ‘starstones,’ plural, and the memory we recovered only displayed one. So for the moment, we have no proof of anything.”

“And all those things that Sophie told Gethen during their conversation,” Oralie said, “about a symbol that’s also a map of the Neverseen’s hideouts, as well as some sort of secret code. I’m assuming that was true?”

“Mostly,” Sophie mumbled. “I exaggerated how much we understand. Dex thinks he knows how the system works, but we won’t be able to tell for sure until we find one of the gadgets and test it out. Tam is looking to see if there’s one hidden in the Silver Tower—or at least proof that the Neverseen used one—so we’ll know how they got in.”

“I’d like to see the symbol,” Oralie said. “And I’d like to show it to Councillor Velia. She’s an expert on maps and may notice something important. She’s also not the type to ask questions, and will keep everything between us. Would you be okay with that?”

“If you believe Velia would be useful in this regard, I’m willing to take you at your word,” Mr. Forkle told her. “I’ll send a record of the symbol as soon as I return to my office.”

“And which office is that?” Oralie asked. “In one of your hideouts? Or maybe somewhere closer to home?”

“Am I to infer that you have a theory as to my identity?” Mr. Forkle asked.

“I’ve had many theories,” Oralie said as they reached the top of the stairs. “But this one feels right.”

“This is a trap, isn’t it?” Mr. Forkle asked. “Pique my curiosity so that I’ll be tempted to slip into your head to check your theory, and if I do, my emotions would give you your answer.”

“I suppose that would work out rather well,” Oralie told him. “But I’d prefer to wait until you’re ready to tell me. And don’t think I haven’t noticed how quiet you’re being, Sophie. I’m assuming that means you’re already in on the secret.”

“Secrets,” Sophie corrected. “I know two of his identities. Still trying to figure out the others.”

“And that is enough about me,” Mr. Forkle told them. “Did anyone else find Gethen’s interest in the Peace Summit to be concerning?”

“Yes,” Oralie admitted. “Even without physical contact, I could feel how desperate he was for information.”

“Any idea why?” Sophie asked.

“From the glimmers I caught in his mind,” Mr. Forkle said, “I suspect the Neverseen once had a plan in the event of an ogre summit, and he believes it will allow him a chance to escape.”

All of the goblins laughed.

“Don’t underestimate the Neverseen,” Sophie warned them.