She touched it from the other side and whispered, Me, too.

Valerie was heading up to her room for bed when Cyrus jumped on her platform.

Im a hundred pounds lighter, she said.

Me, too. It wasnt right without the whole gang together, Cyrus agreed. But I need to talk to you about something.

Sounds serious.

I have an idea about who your dad might be. That Mer guy said you know him, right?

Yes, but I dont want to go around asking every Conjuror Ive ever bumped into if hes my dad.

Maybe you dont have to. I remember one person we met who said that his family was lost to him.

Leo! Valerie said, her eyes shining. Cyrus nodded. Cy, youre a genius!

He must be a good person, because they allowed him into Illyria.

The only people who were allowed to have immortality and be keepers of the Akashic Records were those who had done something truly selfless. The Akashic Records held the history of every piece of information in the universe, so only someone who had proven his worth would be trusted with such powerful knowledge. And she had connected with Leo as soon as she met him. She practically danced with excitement.

How am I going to find him?

I have an idea about that, too, but we have to wait. I have to go home to Messina for a few days.

What for?

Cara is having her Where-o-Well ceremony, he explained. Cara was his younger sister, and the ceremony meant that she would jump into a magic well that could spit her out anywhere on the Globe. Then she had to make it home to prove she was an adult who officially accepted the rules of Messina"which meant rejecting the use of any magic for the rest of her life.

I thought that didnt happen till youre eighteen, Valerie said.

Youre right. But shes in some special honors program, and shes graduating three years early. What a nerd, Cyrus replied, but she could hear the pride in his voice.

Wish her luck from me.

I wish I could bring you with me, but my dad he trailed off. Valerie had met his parents when she visited Cyruss home, and they were furious at the trouble that she had brought with her.

Dont worry, Cy. I understand. And besides, I have my test coming up, so I couldnt go with you anyway.

Im really sorry Im going to miss that. I wanted to watch you wipe the floor with whoever they gave you to fight, Cyrus said Dont worry, Ill give you the play-by-play when you get back. Im hoping I get to spar with Claremont. I wouldnt mind wiping the smirk off of her face once and for all.

Valerie couldnt stop thinking about Cyruss theory about Leo. It was going to be hard to distract herself until he came back from Messina, so she decided to resume her search for the spy.

But Im out of suspects, she complained to Thai that night. I mean, Chrome has other ideas, but no one that I could approach without looking suspicious.

Im not sure what to tell you, he replied, and she saw that he was pale and his eyes lacked their usual energy. How could she not have noticed right away?

Thai, what is it?

He shook his head. Ive been getting these headaches. And Im tired all the time. Im sure its just part of the separation. Ill be fine once its over.

She bit her lip and sat down next to him. I wish I were there for real.

Im not used to being weak, he confessed. Its embarrassing.

I remember how that felt, she empathized. But you arent going to stay like this forever.

Back to your problem. What are you going to do? Thai said, clearly wanting to change the subject.

Valerie considered her options. Maybe Ill visit the Capitol building. Its where all of the Guild Grand Masters get together to make big decisions. I can learn who the key players are and maybe someone will give me a bad vibe.

He nodded approvingly. I love how smart you are.

She looked away, uncomfortable with the compliment but also glowing from it. He leaned toward her, and she closed her eyes for an almost kiss, when he touched his lips to hers. It wasnt as good as the real thing, but it always left her tingling. His face contorted, and Tan was staring at her a little mischievously.

Miss me? he asked with a grin.

She smiled back, hiding her annoyance at his interruption. I really do. I cant wait to show you around the Globe once you two separate.

He stood up and bounced on his feet with excitement. Me, too. Im already thinking about what guild Ill apprentice to.

There are so many to choose from.

And Ill finally be able to destroy Venu for what he did.

She shook her head. Youve got to let go of that, Tan.

His face darkened. It was unsettling how quickly his mood could change. I dont expect you to understand. You know, maybe you shouldnt visit so often.

What?

Do you know that his headaches are always worse after you leave? I think youre cruel.

Stop, you dont mean that.

Just go, he said, glaring at her. Go!

Valeries mind returned to the Globe, her hands cold and shaking. Was Tan telling the truth? Was she making things harder for Thai by visiting so often? Maybe she should let him have some space to live his life. But that wasnt something she was going to decide for him. Shed ask him and trust him to tell her the truth.

Instead of obsessing about Tans words, she decided to put phase two of her plan to find the spy into action. With Cyrus gone and Henry preparing a welcome home party for Kanti, she was on her own for this adventure. But instead of being nervous, she was excited. She was confident that it was the right course of action.

Finding the Capitol building was easy"it was larger than all of the guild buildings and had a huge gold dome. But she didnt want to walk in the front door and be questioned about her intentions for being there. So she circled the building and climbed through a window that led to a basement room filled with boxes of junk.

She chuckled as she peeked inside the boxes. If she had been on Earth, they would be filled with boring things like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Instead they held old crystal balls, tarnished magic mirrors, and an assortment of other objects that had been deemed junk by the Conjurors.

Returning to the task at hand, she cautiously peeked out the door into a large hallway with a beautiful white marble floor. Sconces on the wall provided warm, rosy light. She could hear bustle at a distance, but no one was in the hall.

She started to second-guess her decision. What was she going to do, put her ear against doors? She walked slowly down the hall, passing elegant wooden doors with names engraved on them. She stopped short when she saw Cherns name and knocked tentatively.

W-who is it? he asked, his voice quavering.

Its Valerie, she said, and heard his sigh of relief.

Come in.

She entered his cluttered office, which had books piled haphazardly and a desk that was covered in papers. There was also a faint but nauseating smell that could only be described as dirty gym socks. It was exactly like she imagined it would be.

How can I help you? he asked.

She was acutely uncomfortable, and suddenly decided not to tell him her reason for being there. Knowing Chern, hed accidentally tell someone she was there without meaning to.

I was looking for Midnights office, she said on the spur of the moment.

Shes two floors up. Take the platform at the end of the hall and ride it up and then to the opposite side of the dome. But she isnt usually here at this time of day.

Thanks, Chern, she said, and then hurried away.

She found the platform hed mentioned and decided to head to Midnights office after all. She instinctively trusted the Guardians Grand Master, and decided to see if shed had any insights into who the spy could be since they last talked.

The building was eerily quiet and empty. An unsettling ticklish sensation skittered up her back, and she was suddenly certain she wasnt alone. She stepped off the platform into a deserted hall. Without consciously calling for it, her magic suddenly leaped up inside of her, and she caught an invisible fist inches from her face.

The fist had the texture of glass, and she knew that it must be one of the men who had come after her in Messina. Then, they were only semi-transparent. Someone had improved their powers, because she couldnt see a trace of her attacker this time.

She didnt have time to analyze the situation for long, as a fist hit her like a battering ram in her back. She fell to her knees, a shot of pain flashing through her, making her gasp. But her adrenaline kicked in and the ache receded. She remembered what Gideon had taught her and channeled her pain and fear into anger. She pulled Pathos from the sheath at her side, thankful that he had insisted that she always keep her weapon with her.

To the right, the sound of something tapping the marble floor alerted her, and she rolled to the left. A blow glanced off her shoulder, but didnt do any damage. She shut her eyes. Since she couldnt see her attackers, it made no sense to rely on her vision.

She heard a snicker in front of her, and she hit the spot where the head was with the flat of her blade. With a crunch of glass, the snickering stopped and the man was suddenly visible. His form was milky and blurred at the edges, but she could distinctly see that he had fallen to the floor, unconscious. Their invisibility might have improved, but they were still breakable.

Silence again. Valerie concentrated. She smelled something gross, like body odor. It was coming from behind her, so in one swift move she executed a spin kick. Her attacker must have seen it coming, because he caught her foot and she crashed to the ground. The pain in her back flashed bright, and she grunted. Then a blow to her head left her woozy, and for the first time, she considered that this might be a fight that she lost.

In the corner of her vision, she saw a flash of purple racing toward her. Midnight. A high, piercing noise split the air, and she heard her attackers shriek. She heard a cracking, like a golf ball hitting a glass window, followed by one-two-three thuds.

Cool hands cupped her face, and she stared into Midnights violet eyes. A pleasant sensation tingled her mind as images from the fight raced through her consciousness. Midnight was inside her head, watching what happened like a movie.

You have psychic powers"like Henry, she remembered. Midnight nodded.

Excuse my intrusion into your mind, but I had to see what happened. This isnt the first attack weve had in these halls. Im surprised no one warned you that the building is closed to all visitors.

Im okay, Valerie said. Thats the second time youve saved my life.

Midnight had protected her from Zunya when she had come to the Globe the first time, even though fighting him had weakened the Grand Master immensely.

I dont know about that. Something tells me you would have rallied and taken those breakables down, Midnight said. It was impressive to watch you fight. I can see why everyone wants you to lead.

Valerie groaned again.

Ill take you to the Healers Guild, Midnight said, helping Valerie to her feet.

No, I have to go home. My brother will know that somethings wrong and hell be frantic.

Midnights eyes searched hers, and then she sighed. Its your decision.

Footsteps raced down the hall and Valerie tensed for another attack.

Its only Oleander, a Master Guardian.

I heard a noise, a low, musical voice said. A woman with long, pale hair that matched her gold eyes stood beside Midnight. Her appearance was alien at first, but also strikingly beautiful.

Oleanders eyes widened at the sight of the four breakables lying on the ground, and her amazement only increased when she saw Valerie.

Youre the vivicus, she said breathlessly. You took down one of these men on your own? Youre only a recruit!

Valerie shrugged, and Midnight noticed her discomfort.

Contact the Knights and have them apprehend these men right away, Midnight commanded. Ill escort Valerie back to her dorm.

Oleander nodded, and Midnight led Valerie toward a platform. They left the building, and she tried not to hobble from the pain in her back. Her head would have a nasty bruise as well.

Thank you, Valerie said shyly. It was the first time she had spoken to Midnight alone. She had no right to be taking up so much of her time. I can get home from here.

I will see you to your dorm, if not the Healers Guild, Midnight insisted with a protective note in her voice.

Valerie nodded. Thank you.

Did you come here looking for me?

Yeah. It seems so silly now, but I was trying to get a sense for who the spy might be.

Thats not silly. Azra says you have a sense for people, and I am one who appreciates when someone takes initiative. Did you discover anything?

Not a thing. I dont know where to start.

Perhaps the best idea would be for you to sit in on the next council meeting and meet a few of the Grand Masters.

I could do that?

With a special invitation, yes, it is permitted. Azra will be back soon. Let me talk to her for you.

They stopped in front of her dorm, and she saw Henry and Dulcea frantically flying down the side of the building on one of the platforms. She gave them a little wave of assurance.

Thank you, she said to Midnight.

My door is always open. But next time, come visit me at the Guild.

Bed rest? Is this some kind of punishment? Valerie complained as Henry and Dulcea fussed over her.

Of course not! Dulcea said indignantly.