I hate to say it, but I think Vals right, Henry said to Kanti that night while they had dinner in the Imaginary Friends dorm cafeteria. They held hands under the table, eating with their free hands. It would be obnoxious if it wasnt so adorable. Youve got to forgive them some time.

I say forget em, Cyrus said, dropping his tray at their table and sitting down. Sometimes parents suck.

When Valerie met his eyes, Cyrus turned tomato-red. He stared down at his food and started shoveling it into his mouth.

Sometimes everyone sucks, Henry said. Doesnt mean they cant be redeemed. Your parents are trying.

Kanti sighed, a little dramatically. Fine, Ill meet them. But youre going with me, she said to Henry in a tone of voice that sounded like a queen issuing a command.

Henry didnt seem to mind. Of course. And we should bring Val, too, since they already like her.

Good idea. Maybe the fact that shes your sister will carry some weight in terms of them accepting that were together. What about you, Cy? We could use some comic relief.

Well too bad. This clown isnt performing today, Cyrus said darkly.

Wow, your death stare has gotten much better, Kanti teased, but Cyrus didnt crack his usual grin.

Im busy. Ill meet your horrible family some other time, okay?

Sheesh, fine, Kanti said. She turned to Valerie and mouthed whats with him? Valerie turned her gaze back to her plate.

Is there something I should know? Kanti asked loudly. Henry squirmed in his chair. Henry?

Valerie could swear a little buzz of magic emanated from Kanti, but she didnt think her friend knew she was using it.

Cyrus and Valerie kissed when they were under Dasans magic, Henry blurted out.

Valerie wanted to sink through the floor.

Youve been holding out on me, Kanti said accusingly to Valerie. Valerie couldnt meet her gaze. Hey, you guys are really upset about this.

You think? Cyrus said, and stalked away.

Valerie followed him. She caught up with him in the hall outside of his room.

Im sorry, she said.

He turned and examined her face. What for?

I hurt you.

Yeah. Last night was one of the worst nights of your life. But it was one of the best of mine. Do you know how much that sucks?

She stepped closer. That wasnt even close to one of the worst nights of my life.

So youre not sorry that it happened? Cyrus asked hopefully. Valerie looked away. See, thats what hurts. Not just last night. Every time you mention Thai, youre rejecting me over and over again. I thought when you came to the Globe, things would be different. But you never saw us as anything other than friends.

Best friends.

He shook his head. I want more than that.

So is it all or nothing then? Valerie asked, suddenly lightheaded at the thought of Cyrus fading to a nonexistent role in her life.

Im not saying that. Ive been avoiding this for so long. Maybe Kantis right, and its good that its all out in the open now. I need time to figure out how this can work.

Are you going to leave me? Valerie hated how small and pathetic her voice sounded. It was incredibly selfish to expect him to stay by her side when every time she was happy with Thai it would cause him misery.

Never, dont think that, Cyrus said, taking a step closer to her. Things cant be the same, but it doesnt mean Im gonna stop loving you or stop wanting to be a part of your life.

She took a raggedy breath. Thank you.

Oh just come here, he said, and pulled her into a hug. She felt so fragile, like a strong wind could blow her into a million pieces. The only thing holding her together was the knowledge that Cyrus hadnt abandoned her yet, even all those years when he wasnt allowed to be her imaginary friend. He had still watched over her. She had to trust that he wouldnt leave her now.

Chapter 29.

Kanti had agreed to dinner with her family on the condition that they didnt bring Ani, so thankfully, Valerie was able to relax a little and enjoy the food at the hotel restaurant.

When they walked in, she saw that it must be a popular gathering place for the Grand Masters in Arden, because she saw Chern and Kellen in a booth in the corner, as well as Skye and a few other faces she recognized from her trips to the Capitol.

Everythings free here? Amaryllis asked Kanti, her eyes huge.

We dont have money in Arden, Kanti explained to her sister. Everyone contributes what theyre good at.

But then how do you know whos the most important? Amaryllis asked, her large eyes clouded with confusion.

Henry tried to suppress his laughter and it came out as a snort.

Its different here. Position doesnt matter as much. People share, Kanti explained.

It was her fathers turn to snort. Sounds great until all the freeloaders out there take advantage of the system and it crumbles.

It hasnt so far! Kanti said indignantly. Valerie and Henry stared hard at their plates, hoping the conversation would turn to something more pleasant.

Arden only abolished currency a few decades ago. Give it another hundred years and well talk, George insisted.

Valerie saw Henry squeeze Kantis hand under the table, and Kanti took a deep breath, like she was counting to ten.

Tell me about your lives, Valerie interjected, turning to Kantis sisters. Here we spend our time working in our Guilds. What do you do in Elsinore?

Oh, party, flirt with boys, shop, Amaryllis said carelessly.

Thats not all, Pauline said primly. My daughters are all magically gifted in the arts"Peach sings, Isabelle paints, and Amaryllis is an exquisite dancer.

The boys love it, Amaryllis said with a smile. Speaking of which, where are you hiding all the cute boys?

You have a one-track mind, Kanti said, but she tugged one of her sisters curls affectionately. It was clear that Amaryllis, for all of her shallowness, was her favorite sister.

Pauline slumped in her chair, and George leaned close to his wife and held her hand. What is it, darling? She looked very pale.

Mom? Kanti asked, her mask of sarcasm wiped away by worry.

So much power in one room. Its more than Ive ever she trailed off and fainted into her husbands arms.

Help her! Kanti said, jumping up and knocking over her glass of water.

Valerie was ready to jump into action, but George waved at her to sit down. He cradled his wifes head in his arms and began to sing quietly. The gentle hum of Georges magic gradually returned the color to Paulines face.

He heals through his music, Henry whispered to her as Valerie watched the scene, transfixed. Kantis parents werent perfect, but there was so much love between them. They couldnt be all bad.

Paulines eyes fluttered open and she sat up. Ive made a scene. My apologies.

George squeezed her hand. No one noticed. Shall we leave?

Soon. Ive blocked it out now.

We have to get her to a healer, Kanti said urgently.

It happens to her all the time, and shes fine. Youd know that if you were ever around, Isabelle said resentfully.

Are you really okay? Kanti asked her mother, and her voice sounded young and a little scared.

Darling, dont worry your head about me. Its embarrassing, but nothing to trouble yourself about. This kind of magic always has this effect on me, but its nothing your father cant cure.

What do you mean, this kind of magic? Valerie asked curiously.

Well you and your brother are quite powerful, as well as my own dear family, of course. But this is a different sort of magic.

Different how? Henry asked, interested.

Paulines forehead crinkled as she tried to put it into words. Theres something"wrong"about it. The magic is powerful but twisted. And I must say, this is by far the greatest amount of it that Ive ever sensed.

Who could it be? Valerie asked, and she had the unaccountable feeling that Reaper was near.

Id love to know, Pauline said, a sparkle in her eye. Such power"imagine what a powerful connection that would be.

But you said that its magic gone wrong! Kanti said.

Power is power, dear, George said patiently, as though he was explaining a simple concept to a small child.

Kanti was ready to explode, so Henry quickly jumped in. Thanks for such a great meal. Kanti really should get back to her dorm before Dulcea starts to worry.

Who is Dulcea? Pauline asked.

Shes been a mother to me when you couldnt be, Kanti shot at her. Pauline and George wore identical masks of shock at their daughters words. Kanti shook her head and left, pulling Henry with her.

Nice to see you again, Valerie said, and followed Kanti and Henry out.

Outside the restaurant, Kanti was shaking. Henry held her in his arms, and Valerie gave her friend a quick squeeze before leaving them alone.

Shed only be a third wheel now, and this was her chance to see if she could discover who Reaper was. Her gut told her that the spy and Reaper were one and the same person, and Gideon had encouraged her to trust her instincts. All that power that had overwhelmed Pauline had come from someone who was living in their midst, deceiving them.

She mentally ran through her suspects. What was striking was who hadnt been there"Sanguina, Oberon, Rastelli"and it was good to be able to eliminate a few Conjurors from the growing list. She saw that there was a back entrance to the restaurant, probably where the members of the Cooking Guild entered to create the fabulous meals at the restaurant.

She slipped into the back, expecting to find a bustling kitchen like she would on Earth. Instead everything was calm and orderly, and two Conjurors were working with strange foods so quickly, getting plate after plate ready, that it was impossible to see how they were cooking the food. Once each dish was ready, apprentices whisked it away to be served.

Valerie couldnt help but be fascinated by it all, but she turned her mind to the task at hand. That was when she noticed that she wasnt the only uninvited guest in the kitchen. Ani was hovering by the doorway that led out to the main restaurant, scanning the patrons.

Valerie quickly ducked behind a tall cabinet before she was spotted. Cautiously she peeked out, ready to tackle Ani if she made a wrong move. She noticed that there was a satchel the size of a soccer ball clutched in her left hand. The bag seemed to wriggle and squirm, and she knew what it was"pure magic, the currency of Elsinore.

The magic was special, because it could be manipulated for any purpose. What was Ani doing with so much of it? Somehow Valerie doubted it was for anything good.

She hesitated, trying to decide her next move. Ani drew out a long, pointy knife made of crystal"or ice, she thought, remembering Kantis castle, which was entirely made of ice but charmed so that it never melted.

She dipped the knife into the bag and muttered something under her breath. Then she brought the tip of the knife to her mouth and blew gently. A black fog began to pour into the room.

Valerie cursed herself for not acting sooner. Her rage at Ani for all she had done to Kanti and Henry made it easy for her to seize her magic. She catapulted over a countertop, startling one of the Cooks, who let out a high-pitched yell that alerted Ani to her presence.

Ani turned and her eyes narrowed. She dipped her knife into the bag again, but before she could do anything with it, Valerie executed a quick spin kick that knocked it out of her hands and sent it skittering across the floor.

Anis face seemed to turn to marble. A hum filled the room, more power than Valerie would have guessed that Ani possessed. Valerie drew Pathos and braced herself for some kind of physical attack, but instead, Ani opened her mouth and the most beautiful sound Valerie had ever heard in her life poured out of it. The sweetness was almost unbearable, filling her soul with a longing that made her fall to her knees. Pathos clattered to the ground next to her.

She was dimly aware that the Cooks in the kitchen were mesmerized as well. Ani slowly walked closer to her. There was a tiny part of Valeries mind that knew this was all wrong. That part of her struggled through the fog, demanding that she pick up Pathos and stop her. Anis song reached its crescendo, taking her breath away with its beauty.

What the hell is going on here? Kantis voice cut through the song like a razor. Valerie struggled to her feet and lifted her sword shakily. Anis song continued, but it seemed muted. Next to her, Henry held Kantis hand, and the hum of their combined power was formidable. Henry slammed Ani into the wall with the power of his mind, and she fell to the ground, unconscious.

What was going on? Why werent you fighting her? Henry said, turning to Valerie.

I dont know. It was like I was paralyzed by her voice.

You were, Kanti said grimly. Shes a siren, like Peach. Well, Peach would never hurt anyone. Manipulate them, maybe, but not kill them. I hope.

I wouldnt, Peach said softly, walking through the doorway from the restaurant with her parents and sisters behind her. She tucked a strand of her long, shiny blonde hair behind one ear. I heard the call of a siren sister and came right away with Mother and Father. So its true"Aunt Ani really did try to kill you.

Kanti nodded. Its not the first time shes betrayed me.

Oh my, Peach said, noticing the writhing bag of magic that Ani had dropped on the ground. Ive never seen half this much magic in my entire life. What could she be doing with it all?

There was this black fog that she made, Valerie said. She peered into the restaurant, but it seemed to have dissipated. Im not sure what it was for. Poison?

The lights dimmed, Peach said. It was probably a simple darkness spell"that usually starts with fog.