She shook her head. “No, but I do need your help. Answer two questions for me.”

   “Yes?”

   “Do you know where the Alanzans will meet tonight? For their Star Advent?”

   I was taken aback. I knew the answer. Cedric kept me informed of Alanzan activity in the city. But I was surprised Adelaide had even remembered that this major holiday of theirs existed. “What’s your other question?” I asked uneasily.

   “I need to know how you get in and out of the house undetected.”

   “Those are big questions.”

   “And I wouldn’t be asking them without a good reason.”

   It was what I’d told her about my own activities. I didn’t like having my words used against me. I didn’t like the desperation in her eyes either. “You can’t tell anyone,” I said.

   “You know I won’t.”

   “Of course not. I shouldn’t have suggested it.” I still hesitated, mostly because I feared for her safety, but before I could ask for more clarification, I saw Jasper beckoning to her impatiently from across the room. Time was running out, and I’d just have to trust her. I took a deep breath. “Okay, at the end of our hall is a servants’ staircase. If you take it up to the attic, you’ll find this window . . .”

CHAPTER 16

   I WAS BURSTING WITH THE NEWS ABOUT THE HERETIC patrol, but when I arrived home to Wisteria Hollow later that night, Aiana wasn’t there. I was on the verge of going to Grant myself—until I realized Adelaide wasn’t back yet either. I stood in our room for a long moment, staring at her empty bed, and then flounced onto my own, suddenly overwhelmed by a terrible, crushing feeling. What if something had happened to her? Why had I let her go alone? I’d already lost one friend. How could I be so careless with another? I should’ve feigned sickness too. I should’ve just insisted I accompany her home.

   Should I go to the Alanzan meeting? Surely she wouldn’t have asked about it if that wasn’t her intended destination, right? But then I again felt guilty for being a hypocrite . . . telling her it was okay for me to run around in the night while I wanted her to stay locked away and safe. Adelaide’s not like me, though. She doesn’t carry a weapon. She doesn’t know how to confront criminals in dark alleys. She could barely style her own hair when she came to the Glittering Court.

   Reluctantly, I decided not to take the news to Grant. I had to wait for Adelaide. I crawled into my bed, only to toss and turn as I constantly chased horrible images from my mind. When Adelaide finally crept into our room, I jerked upright and tried to hide my earlier panic. “Did you get what you needed?”

   She paused near her bureau. “I don’t know that I ever will.”

   I couldn’t see her expression in the darkness, but the sadness in her voice made my heart ache. “Is there some way I can help you?”

   “You already do, Mira. Just by being here. Good night.”

   She was subdued at breakfast too. Lots of girls were. Daily parties took a toll. Still, Mistress Culpepper pushed us with her usual intensity, laying out the day’s social itinerary and reminding us of our duties. I watched Adelaide closely and offered comfort once again, but she just kept reiterating that she was fine.

   I found Aiana right before I left for an afternoon tea and asked if she could deliver my message about the heretic patrol today. “It depends on how late I’ll be out,” she said, her tone brisk. She was on her way to chaperone another group. “I’ve got jobs all day and then an appointment after dinner. But if I can’t make it there tonight, I’ll get it to him in the morning.”

   I hesitated. The revelation I’d had about Scarborough wasn’t life-or-death, but I didn’t like the uncertainty of her time frame. I’d already sat on this news for one night and was restless to share it. “You have enough going on. I’ll just take it.”

   Aiana made a face. “Don’t pretend you’re doing me the favor. You want to go.”

   “You said you wouldn’t stop me.” She was right, though. I wanted to go for the thrill of it. This mission was the closest I had to any sort of heroic deed. And . . . I wanted to see Grant again.

   “I won’t stop you,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to act like I approve. It’s a bad idea.”

   The anticipation of another clandestine outing in Cape Triumph made the hours drag by. When we finally finished our evening party and returned to Wisteria Hollow, I waited for everyone to go to bed before I donned my wig, mask, and the clothes Grant had given me. Eluding the bodyguards still had to be done very carefully, but once I made it to the woods, I felt like a weight had been lifted off me. No more uncomfortable clothes. No more rules of etiquette. I was free, at least for a little while.

   Surprise lit Grant’s face when he opened his door. Surprise and . . . something else. Wariness, maybe. Then, his features smoothed, and he was his usual blunt self. “Wisteria Hollow has terrible security.”

   I stripped off the mask and cloak as soon as he shut the door. He still had no furniture, so I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. “Aiana was busy, so I figured I’d bring you my news.”

   “‘Busy,’ huh? Is that what she told you? No doubt she’s off chasing her latest romance.” He turned away and paced the empty room. “You’re not supposed to come here, you know. This couldn’t have waited a day?”

   “Maybe . . . but I mean, it’s already two-day-old news.” The harshness of both his tone and attitude startled me. “Everything else I’ve brought you has been time sensitive, so I figured you’d jump on this. I didn’t expect the attitude. I can go if it’s too inconvenient—”

   “No.” He stopped and ran a hand over his eyes. “Don’t go. I’m just tired. Get comfortable, and tell me what you’ve got.”