The Dream Thieves

Adam said, “I haven’t gone in. I don’t think it’s safe.”

“What’s the next step, then?” Gansey asked warily. It was hard to tell if he was wary of Adam or wary of the cavern.

Adam said, “Make it safer.”

He glanced at Ronan, eyebrows furrowed, as if sensing Ronan’s eyes on him.

Ronan looked away.

The third secret was the cavern itself. When they finally returned to 300 Fox Way, the sun was well up. To Ronan’s shock, a white Mitsubishi sat on the curb. For a moment, he thought — but then he saw the Gray Man waiting on the front step with Calla. His presence here instead of hundreds of miles away was not probable, but it was not impossible.

As Persephone climbed the stairs, Calla said accusingly, “This is your fault. Did you know this was going to happen?”

Persephone blinked her black eyes.

“Mr. Gray?” Blue asked. “How —”

“No,” Calla interrupted. “Later. Come with me.”

She led them upstairs to Maura’s bedroom. Pushing open the door, she let them take in the sight.

A candle was melted on the carpet. Beside it, in a square of strong daylight, a scrying bowl was knocked askew.

“Who did this? Where is Mom?” Blue demanded.

Calla wordlessly handed her a note. They all read it over Blue’s shoulder.

In a hasty, water-stained scrawl, it said, Glendower is underground. So am I.