"She's right. We follow him." Mina instructed.

Anders went farther up the tunnel, trying to stay on higher ground-anything that hadn't been submerged in the floodwater. He peeled off down a left passageway, and they came to a second set of air lock doors. Anders jumped up onto the round wheel and-this time when Mina turned it-it unlocked and opened easily. He scampered right through the door.

The girls were a bit more hesitant.

Mina went first into the second air lock. It was dark. There was a slight smell of kerosene in the air as if a lantern or heater had been lit recently. She put her hands out in front of her and tried to make it to a wall, but she stumbled over something on the floor. Mina let out a cry as she fell forward onto the large form. She got up and tried to feel around on the ground but almost lost it when she realized what she was feeling.

Her hands were roaming over a dead body.

Chapter 12.

Mina's hands stilled on the dead body as bile rose to her throat.

But then she realized it was still warm. Even though every part of her wanted to run away, she stayed.

She heard a slight moan, and instinct kicked in.

"Light! I need light!"

Ever and Nan searched the room until one of them found a kerosene lamp and matches. The room was quickly illuminated as Ever held the lamp close to Mina.

"It's Nix!" Ever cried out. "He's hurt."

Nix was sprawled across the floor. He groaned and his eyes started to flutter open. He immediately reached for the back of his head and winced. "Where am I?"

Mina looked around, unsure exactly how to answer him. "Right outside the air lock, below the river."

"That's right," he said, cringing again. "I was supposed to meet you and take you to Constance." He groaned and tried to sit up but almost tipped over from the pain. He curled up in a ball and nursed the wound on his head.

"Nick?" Nan said.

"Yeah. He's one of us," Ever said without a blink. "Nix, what's the last thing you remember?"

"I remember coming around the corner and putting the lamp down to unlock the door. I think someone came up from behind and attacked me."

"You poor thing!" Ever said softly.

Nan cast an odd look over to Mina, both of them surprised at Ever's nurturing side appearing out of nowhere.

"You mean someone from this side of the door?" Mina asked. "Are you sure? Because that would have to mean it's one of the Godmothers."

Nix stood slowly with Ever's help. "Yeah, it must have been. But why would they attack me? I'm so confused." He leaned against the wall.

"Someone sealed the outer air lock door, and we were caught by the river when the walls started to come down. We could have drowned. I'm guessing whoever did that didn't want you in the way," Mina answered.

"That's terrible! I'm so sorry. If I had been paying more attention-or if I was still a Nixie-I would have been able to sense someone down here, so close to water. Mina, please forgive me. I'm such a failure!"

"So you're a...a Nixie?" Nan breathed out slowly.

"Uh...hi, Nan," Nix said sheepishly. "It's Nix actually. I mean down here with my kind it is. But for school and stuff, Nick is better."

"Nix used to be a Nixie." Ever spoke up.

"What is that?"

"Think jolly green giant but likes the water," Ever explained.

Nan chuckled. "You said 'used to be.' What happened?"

"Something happened on the Fae plane-and he was dying," Mina answered. "Charlie and I brought him over and now he's human. But he's still learning to adapt."

Nix grinned ear to ear. "I'm a fine specimen of human if I do say so myself."

Nan leaned over and whispered loudly to Mina. "That explains...a lot."

"Nix, I think we better find Constance." Mina was exhausted, but whoever tried to kill them still had to be around somewhere. This day felt like it would never end.

"Of course, yes. Right away. That's what I was supposed to do. It was my only job and I botched it." Nix turned and led the way, slowing a few times to touch the back of his head.

Mina was so worried about him that she wasn't paying attention to the way they headed. She needed to do better.

"She's waiting for us." Nix took a back hallway, and they passed the dining hall. Nan craned her neck, apparently wanting a slower tour of the place.

When Nix opened the door to the library, Constance was sitting in the same high back chair as last time, drinking tea and talking with someone. Mina wasn't surprised to see her music teacher, but Nan certainly was.

Constance glanced over at Nan. Her short white hair was particularly spikey today, reminiscent of a hedgehog. Her teal wing-tipped glasses matched her knitted button-up sweater and pencil skirt.

"Mrs. Colbert?"

Constance straightened in her chair. Mina's guest seemed to take her by surprise.

Quietly, Nan said, "Our music teacher is a Fae too. This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder."

"Yes, dear. I'm a muse."

As they approached and could see both women, Mina cleared her throat, feeling awkward. "Nan, you remember Mrs. Wong?"

Nan's eyes widened as she recognized the small Chinese woman as well. She nodded.

"She goes by Meira here."

Mrs. Wong smiled at Nan. "I'm a brownie. You can call me Mei."

Anders ran across the polished floor toward Constance in obvious distress, squeaking and making odd noises. Her brows narrowed and she frowned. Apparently, Constance could understand them. "What happened, Baldander?"

The creature answered.

"I see. That's horrible!"

She looked to Nix. "Are you okay? Would you like to go to the healing garden?"

Nix shook his head. "I'll be fine. I won't leave Mina."

"As you like. Let's get them dry." Constance nodded to the puddles that were forming under their feet.

Mei waved her hands over the girls' clothes and, within seconds, they were dry.

Mina filled Constance in on their earlier events-the accident and Teague's warning. Both Mei and Constance were stumped.

"We shall have this incident investigated immediately," Constance said.

"Mina," Mei said softly, "on the tail of our recent discovery, this is worrisome indeed."

"The reason I've brought you here, Mina, is so you can meet with the leader of the Guild and we can discuss a development. Come with me now; Nan and Ever can stay here."

"No, they come with me. I'm not letting Nan out of my sight, until I know that no one is going to mess with her memories."

Constance's eyes squinted, her thoughts impossible to discern.

"All right. But you mustn't interfere with the Guild's decision, Mina."

"I won't. As long as I agree with their decision," Mina added. She slowly stepped in front of Nan, in a protective manner. Mei caught Mina's eye and gave a subtle wink.

A small smile flew across Constance's lips. "We shall see. Mei, notify Ken and the others to put more wards up and send a team to investigate this interloper. We can't be left vulnerable," Constance warned.

"Yes, we'll get right on it," Mei answered before disappearing out into the hall.

"Follow me please." Constance gestured toward the girls.

Nix stepped in line behind Nan.

"Nix, you don't have to come," Constance said.

"Yes, yes I do," he said.

"Very well. This way." Constance pointed toward a gray metal door at the back of the room, the rings on her fingers glinting in the light.

They followed Constance out the door and down a hallway. The temperature started to drop and Mina's heart felt heavy. She could tell just from these two signs which way they were heading.

"Nan, close your eyes and give me your hand," Mina whispered.

"What?" Her small voice sounded so distant and unsure. "What's happening?" Even now she was affected by the dangerous feelings assailing her. Nan gripped Mina's hand tightly. Nix slipped in front of Mina and took her hand, taking lead. He used his own body to block the Troll's unnatural gaze.

Ever sucked in an audible breath and shivered. "What is that?"

Constance turned to warn them, but nodded her head for Nix to continue leading Mina and Nan past the troll. Mina's skin prickled and she could feel the hate radiating from the large gray troll who was slowly turning to stone.

"He's been trapped here for the last twenty years, when Teague last attacked the GM's headquarters," Mina said. "As long as you don't look the troll in the eyes, you can pass him. Most everybody is used to ignoring him."

"I'm scared." Nan's hand shook in Mina's. "I feel...I feel...I need to get away from here." She pulled her hand away, and Mina knew the moment Nan opened her eyes and saw the troll. She froze on the spot-her mouth opened in fear, her eyes locked onto the troll. Tears started to pour from her eyes and her body trembled.

"Nan, don't look." Mina yanked on Nan's hand, but she wouldn't budge.

Nix rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Nan in a strong hug, burying her face in his chest, breaking the visual connection. His arms rubbed up and down her back in a comforting way. He whispered soft, encouraging words to her. When he was able to move her, he guided her down the hall and around the corner.

Mina kept her eyes on the ground and followed, only pausing when she thought she heard something. It sounded like the troll had spoken-but that was impossible.

His lips were sealed shut.

Looking at the troll from the side wasn't as dangerous as a straight on. So Mina stopped and looked at the monster. He hadn't changed since she'd seen him a few months ago. More of his face had turned to stone, but his eyes still moved.

He blinked a few times and tried to turn his head to look at her. The sound came again. It was coming from the troll.

Mina stepped closer, keeping just out of his line of sight. He was trying to speak to her. She leaned in to listen as the troll tried again.

"Soooooon!" the troll hissed.

Chapter 13.

That one word made Mina's whole body quake in terror. No one else seemed to hear the troll's veiled threat since they had moved on and down the hall. She picked up her pace and joined the rest of the group.

Constance stopped in front of a large bolted door surrounded with golden seals. "Before you go, Mina, there is something I need to mention." The Fae music teacher turned to look toward Ever, Nan, and Nix. "You are taking on the responsibility of deciding how much you want to endanger your friends. Do you understand that?"

Mina swallowed but nodded. It was a hefty burden, but at least they'd be together. If she left them here, she had no idea what they'd face. And they wouldn't know what she was up against either.

Constance raised her hand, and a glow emanated from her palm. The seals mirrored the glow until Mina heard a set of clicks and the sound of metal sliding into its casing. Constance pushed the door open, and a soft white light poured from within.

"Come," she beckoned. Nan hesitated only a second before entering.

Mina, Ever, and Nix followed and spread out to surround a small glass table which held on it an inscribed and gilded wooden box.

Constance waited until the door behind them had completely closed before she spoke. "Nix please lock the door, I need to put up a ward so nothing escapes."