Island of Fire

Meghan’s hand went to her mouth and Alex’s jaw dropped. “She is? Is he sure?”

“He hearrrd Eva Fathom talk about herrr just yesterrrday. Therrre are two guarrrds, sometimes thrrree, in the house at all times.” Simber’s stone face was earnest. “If you use the tube and yourrr spells, you may be able to surrrprrrise them.”

Alex pressed his lips together. “If we . . . but the tube—it’s all numbers. I don’t know which button to press, and I don’t know—”

“It’s numberrr one to Haluki’s office,” Simber said in a low voice. “I know that much from Marrrcus. Two of you could go togetherrr in the tube if you can fit. That would . . . that would be the best way, I think.”

Alex looked hard at Simber. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Alex sighed a heavy sigh and squeezed his eyes shut. “Sorry,” he said. “Of course we need to go. We need to go now. Let me just, ah, get some components, and then Meg . . . are you up for it?”

Meghan’s eyebrows shot up. She shook her head, pointing to her neck.

“She can’t use verrrbal components,” Simber translated, though Alex didn’t really need him too—he’d just forgotten for a moment.

“Okay, well . . . who from this group?” Alex muttered, peeking around the corner of the doorway and scanning the crowd. He didn’t really know very many of the adults well, and he didn’t trust the ones he knew to be great at magic since they’d never had to use it for defense until recently. He turned back to Simber and whispered, “Or is there anybody else who can get into this stupid hallway?”

“Perrrhaps Octavia,” Simber began. “But she’s . . .”

Meghan frowned, shaking her head, and then she turned Alex around by the shoulders and pointed to someone.

“Who?” Alex asked.

She pointed especially hard, and Alex followed her finger. “Henry? Are you kidding?”

Meghan rolled her eyes and looked at Simber.

Simber spoke. “It’s a good choice.”

“He’s a little kid! Hasn’t he been through enough?”

“It’s his house. Think, Alex.”

Alex thought. And then he said, “Oooh. He’ll know his way around. Places to hide. And how to find the pantry.”

“And he’s small enough to fit in the tube with you, so you can attack togetherrr rrratherrr than one at a time.”

Alex thought about that, too. He thought about how well Henry picked up the spells even though he’d only been in Artimé for a short time. The kid was levelheaded and smart, sure. And he was quick. But . . . Alex cringed. “What if something happens to him? I mean . . .” He thought of Lani and nearly lost his composure.

Simber looked at the floor. “I know. But he’s the best choice. And we need her.” He glanced at Meghan. “We need Clairrre. She’s morrre than a frrriend. She’s . . . like family. To me, that is, now that . . .” Simber growled sharply to clear his throat, causing many of the Unwanteds in the hall to cast a nervous glance in the direction of the kitchenette.

Meghan gave Alex an imploring look.

Alex gazed from one face to the other and closed his eyes wearily. “Okay.”

While Simber spoke with Henry, Alex ran out of the secret hallway and into the boys’ hallway to his room to collect as many components as his now-tattered vest could hold. It was strange to be back in his comfy quarters again. He yearned for a nap in his bed.

“What happened to you?” Alex’s blackboard, Clive, sneered as if he’d just seen him this morning.

“Nothing,” Alex said. “Just . . . I’ll tell you everything someday.” He grabbed handfuls of origami dragons, scatterclips, balls of clay for shackles, and blinding highlighters, and stuffed them into his pockets. He paused, looking at the little pile of heart attack components, so simple and innocent. He grabbed them, his face twisting into a grimace. He hesitated, and then he tossed them into a drawer and slammed it shut. “Never again,” he muttered.

As he rushed out the door, he heard the old familiar words ring out from Clive: “Don’t die!”

Nasty Places

Alex met Henry at the tube in the kitchenette. Henry’s lashes were still wet from crying when he couldn’t go with his father, but the tears had stopped and his eyes held an eager look now. “Here,” Alex said, handing him some components. “Do you know how to use all these?” Henry looked them over carefully. “Yes,” he said. He sounded more sure of himself than Alex felt.

“Do you know what room of your house the tube is in?”

“It’s in my father’s office,” Henry said. “End of the hall.”

Alex nodded, and the two strategized. When they had their plan together, they stepped into the tube. Alex gave Meghan a reassuring smile that didn’t come from any sort of confidence within himself, but she looked relieved to see it.

Alex regarded the tube’s strange numbers-only blackboard and hesitated. He glanced at Simber. “How will we know which button to press to get back here?” he asked.

“I don’t know forrr surrre,” Simber said. “Marrrcus never spoke of that one. But I think that tube in Haluki’s office only comes herrre to Arrrtimé, so therrre should only be one option.”

“Let’s hope so,” Alex muttered. He looked down at Henry. “Ready?”