by Erin Bowman
“Tonight what?” Julius said, passing by them with a stack of dirty dishes.
“Oh, I, uh … just wanted to let you know what I found today. In my grandma’s office.”
Julius glanced toward the sink, where Kenji was washing dishes. “Good idea, updating us first. Wouldn’t want to give Kenji any more wild ideas.”
“Yeah, exactly,” Piper said, forcing a smile.
“Perfect.” Camilla straightened from the dessert. After wiping her hands on her apron, she lifted the small ramekin and beamed at it like it was a beloved child. “Well, this needs to be served.”
Piper picked up a dish towel and joined Kenji at the sink, wondering how she was ever going to ditch Julius so she could talk to Camilla alone.
* * *
Later, with her backpack in tow, Piper used the ivy to return to the attic. She retrieved the envelope from where she’d stashed it, climbed back to her room, and emptied the envelope onto the bed. The crisp white pages of her mother’s report stood out against the navy-blue sheets.
Piper flipped to the first page and began to read. Not that she could understand much. At least half the words went over her head, but there were numerous mentions of quantum mechanics and unstable atoms and dirt samples. Especially the latter. Every other page seemed to have a table about dirt samples. The gist of it, from what Piper could follow, matched what she’d read on the title page: Sophia insisted that parallel dimensions were possible. Or more specifically, that a parallel dimension constrained to a set area could leave behind traces and residue, providing proof that another dimension lurked just out of reach. The entirety of Sophia’s research had taken place at Mallory Estate, with all her metaphysical anomaly readings occurring within the walls of the garden.
A note was tucked between the final pages of the paper.
Sophia,
I have read your paper and I am appalled.
How dare you risk exposing us like this! We have had our differences, but this “scientific research” accomplishes nothing.
Did you expect me to be grateful for this paper, to bow to your genius and tell you how brilliant and loved you are? All you have done is point anyone searching for HOM artifacts to our door. Of course parallel pockets exist. They are the product of the concealment, proof that the magi’s items are hidden in an alternate reality. But now, because of your inability to sit quietly, because of your irksome need to be seen as special, any magi hunting for concealed artifacts will know we have one in our backyard. And they will come for it.
You’ve now lost everything: your respect within the scientific community, your family, and after this stunt, my trust.
You will help me find the elixir before a competitor does, or you can no longer live here.
There was no signature, but it had clearly been written by Piper’s grandmother. Melena must never have given it to Sophia, though, because it had been stored with Melena’s things—in her desk, in her office.
Maybe they’d had the conversation in person. They must have, Piper reasoned, because Sophia had remained at the estate after the publication of the paper. According to Julius, Camilla, and Kenji, she’d spent years helping Melena try to access the garden. This scientific paper was probably the reason Melena had approached the HOM about breaking the concealment in the first place. The safety of the elixir was at risk. She’d done what was necessary, even when it meant disobeying the HOM’s orders.
The pieces slid into place, rearranging in Piper’s mind.
Melena still wanted to protect the elixir. It was Sophia whose motives must have changed. She no longer wanted to impress her mother, she wanted to win. Once Teddy mentioned that he’d found a way into the garden, she’d turned on Melena, getting rid of her so that she, alone, could find the elixir.
A knock sounded on the shared door. “It’s us,” Julius hissed.
Piper opened the door and Julius and Camilla spilled into her room. “Tell us everything,” Camilla said, collapsing on the bed like a beached whale. “Yes,” Julius agreed. “What did you find?”
Piper told them about Melena’s office—the letter to Frederick from Clarence, how the HOM had agreed to keep the concealment intact, Sophia’s scientific paper and the threat Melena had made, as well as her requests to the current High Order of Magi that had both been rejected.
“I don’t know why my grandma didn’t just let the elixir be,” Piper admitted. “She didn’t need my mom’s help—or yours. The elixir is clearly safe. Artifact hunters didn’t come for it, not even after my mom published her paper.”
“That’s not quite true,” Julius said. “There were these two men who showed up sometimes.”
Camilla nodded. “They kept asking about the garden. Wanted to tour it. Mrs. Mallory would always turn them away.”
“But they kept reappearing—as UPS, lawn services, repairmen, you name it. I think they’re hunting for magi artifacts. But they haven’t been around since …” Julius glanced to Camilla, looking for help.
“About a year,” the girl answered. She rolled onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows. “I think Mrs. Mallory put some sort of curse on them. Or the estate. I don’t know—something to keep them away.”
“Or they finally gave up,” Julius offered.
“Maybe.” Piper grabbed a pillow and squeezed it to her chest. “I guess I just don’t understand why my grandma kept pressing things with the HOM. The elixir has been safe all this time. Why wouldn’t it stay that way?”
“Maybe she was embarrassed,” Julius said. “Frederick Mallory—an original founder of the High Order of Magi—is her ancestor, and the elixir on her property is in jeopardy because her own daughter made a rookie mistake and basically screamed, ‘Hey, we have an ancient HOM artifact here!’ I mean, what would you do? She was probably trying to address the problem before it got worse. Involve the HOM sooner rather than later.”
“Why did Mrs. Peavey even write that paper?” Camilla asked. “She knows that the elixir was hidden for a reason. She basically betrayed all magi by publishing her research.”
“She didn’t really … get along with my grandma,” Piper said, remembering the journal entry she’d read in the attic. “I think she wrote the paper because she wanted my grandma to be proud of her. But then that backfired and eventually … I don’t know, maybe she just snapped. Decided she was going to find the elixir on her own to prove a point.”
“So you think she really is behind Mrs. Mallory’s disappearance?” Julius asked with wide eyes.
“Yeah, I do,” Piper answered. “It explains the sudden change in her personality, too. How she went from kind to cruel almost overnight, forcing you guys to cook her dinner, not bothering to look for Teddy, letting Julius run Friday classes instead of taking them over herself. Once she got rid of my grandma, she could let the real Sophia Peavey show.”
Julius gulped. “Are you sure your grandma’s not running errands?”
“There wasn’t anything written on her calendar,” Piper said. “But there was the strange ring of soot around her chair. Like she’d burst into flames.”
“Maybe Mrs. Peavey did that,” Camilla suggested. “Maybe she set your grandma on fire.”
Julius gulped again. “But … why? They were searching for the elixir together for years. Why does she want it for herself all of a sudden?”
“So she can publish a new paper and save her reputation. So she can reproduce the elixir and get rich. Or maybe she always wanted it for herself and she finally decided to act on that.” Piper waved a hand. “Take your pick.”
“I don’t know,” Camilla said, shaking her head. “Mrs. Peavey was so nice.”
“Key word being ‘was,’ ” Piper clarified. “She was nice to me and my dad once too. Then she abandoned us.”
Camilla glanced at Julius. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s hard to believe, but Mrs. Mallory has been missing for a long time—almost as long as Teddy, who Mrs. Peavey doesn’t seem that con
cerned about finding. And now, with everything Piper’s discovered … Well, maybe Mrs. Peavey isn’t who we thought she was.” Julius grabbed one of the posts of Piper’s bed. “So what do we do? How do we stop her?”
“About that,” Piper said, swallowing. “I think I know. But I need to talk to Camilla.”
Julius and Camilla exchanged a glance.
“Alone,” Piper added.
“No way.” Julius shook his head. “Anything you have to say to her you can say to me, too.”
Camilla’s cheeks practically swelled with pride. “Yeah, that’s right.”
Figures she’d take Julius’s side now, Piper thought. She thinks he’s a pain 90 percent of the time, but now they’re best friends.
Camilla’s eyes narrowed. “You’re keeping something from us.”
“Whatever it is, you can tell us,” Julius insisted.
Piper’s stomach sank. She had hoped to involve as few people as possible, but the fountain of Fates would remain a dead end without Camilla. The elixir would stay hidden. And the cancer would take her father.
This was the only way.
Piper took a deep breath. “I found a way into the garden.”
Chapter Twenty-One Two Deals
You what?” Camilla screeched.
“When?” Julius asked.
“Shhh,” Piper hissed. “The Persian will hear you.”
They all looked to the door, waiting, but when the meowing never came, Julius’s and Camilla’s gazes slid back to Piper. Camilla looked about ready to shoot laser beams at her. “Explain,” she demanded.
“I got in last week. Teddy’s still in there. I think my mom purposely trapped him.” She told them about the invisible entrance above the headless stag, the key Sophia had hidden, how Piper had retrieved it and already worked through a trial and a half with Teddy’s help. “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t want to tell you because I was worried someone would run straight to my mom. I know how badly you guys want to be adopted. And now, after this paper, after everything I found in my grandma’s office …We can’t let my mom have it. Whatever her plan is for the elixir, it’s not what the HOM wanted. And if she figures out that Camilla is the key … The Fates in the east fountain have to match the Fates in the west. Only Camilla can manipulate the gold to silver.”
They both stared at her, unblinking.
“Frederick’s letter said, ‘Reaching any item is possible, if only we possess the right affinities.’ Camilla can complete the second trial. Then we’re one step closer to the elixir, and we can figure out how to keep it from my mom.” Piper glanced to Camilla. “So can you come in with me tomorrow? Can you fix the statues?”
Camilla slid from the bed, glaring. “You’re as bad as Mrs. Peavey—using everyone and caring only about yourself. Like mother, like daughter, I guess. Let’s go, Julius.”
Julius hesitated only a moment, shaking his head with disappointment. Then he followed Camilla. They left the way they’d arrived, slamming the adjoining door behind them.
* * *
The Persian mewled outside Piper’s room for the next hour. It had heard the argument, or at the very least, the slamming door.
Piper had no idea what to do next. Without Camilla, she couldn’t finish the second trial. And without completing the second trial, there was no way to the elixir, and without the elixir, she’d never be able to save her father. Her frustration brought her to tears, and she paced back and forth across her room, unable to forget the look of disgust on Camilla’s face. Piper could admit that she hadn’t been a great friend. But she’d had her reasons for secrecy, and she wasn’t using Camilla the way her mother was using all of them! That was absolutely ridiculous. Piper wanted to use the elixir for good.
Make her see that Even if you have to tell them everything, including what’s going on with your dad.
She smoothed her shirt, took another deep breath, and (after confirming that the Persian had wandered off to spy on someone else) raised her hand to softly rap on the adjoining door.
It swung open a second before her knuckles could fall.
“Don’t you knock?” Piper snapped, leaping back.
“Sorry,” Julius said curtly. His mouth was thin. Camilla stood behind him with her arms crossed over her chest. “We’ve been thinking,” he said.
“We’ll help. Not because we want to help you,” Camilla said, “but because Teddy needs us. I’m not going to leave him stranded in there because you’re a jerk.”
“Really?” Piper’s heart leaped. She hadn’t even needed to tell them about her father. She hadn’t needed to say anything.
“Yes. A jerk. And a liar. And a selfish, greedy princess,” Camilla snapped.
“No, I meant really you’ll help? You’ll use your affinity to match the Fates?” She was so pleased, she didn’t even care that she’d been insulted.
Camilla and Julius looked at each other. Then Julius said, “On one condition. Once we find the elixir, it’s ours. Mine and Camilla’s and Kenji’s and Teddy’s. We’re getting adopted.”
“But my mom—” Piper began.
“Is terrible, apparently. But Mrs. Mallory will honor the promise Mrs. Peavey made us. When she gets home, she’ll take us in.”
“If she gets home,” Piper said. “We just agreed earlier that my mom probably did something to get rid of her. And if you bring Teddy out of the garden, my mom will definitely know you’ve found a way in. How are you going to hide him and the elixir from her?”
“We’ll all head into the garden together, and Kenji can jump us to safety,” Camilla said. “Then we can head to the historical society, or to the cops. We’ll keep searching until we find Mrs. Mallory, and we’ll stay a step ahead of Mrs. Peavey the whole time.”
“And what if you don’t find my grandma? You can’t run forever.”
“Then we’ll make sure Mrs. Peavey can never get her hands on the elixir. We’ll conceal it for good.”
Piper’s heart plummeted. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll manipulate it into stone, you can turn it invisible, Kenji can teleport it to some obscure place only he knows about.”
“I have no idea how to turn an object invisible forever,” Piper pointed out.
“What I’m saying is we can hide it,” Camilla clarified. “No back doors or keys or trials. That’s what you want, right? To keep it safe like the HOM intended?” Camilla narrowed her eyes at Piper. Unless you’re keeping something else from us like I think you are, the expression seemed to say.
“But that’s not exactly what the HOM wanted,” Piper said. “They left a back door to access all the magi items, just in case. Maybe we shouldn’t hide the elixir permanently.”
“That’s the deal,” Camilla insisted. “Take it or leave it.”
Piper looked at her friends. Were they even friends? They’d been getting there over the past few days, but now friendship seemed impossible, especially given the way they were glowering at her.
She considered telling them everything right that instant. But what if they didn’t agree to give her father the elixir? It would be gone forever if he drank it—concealed from those who might abuse it—and he’d make sure they got adopted. This was the way everyone could win, but Piper wasn’t convinced that Julius or Camilla would recognize that. They wanted to be adopted so badly, they were unlikely to trust that fate to a stranger. Especially when that stranger was the father of a girl who’d spent the last week lying to them.
So she’d agree to the deal now, and make them understand later. She’d figure out how to get the elixir to her father, and then everything would work out for the best. They’d see.
“Okay,” she said, and held out a hand.
“Don’t shake unless you mean it,” Camilla warned.
Piper kept her hand outstretched. Somewhat reluctantly, suspicion still lingering in Camilla’s eyes, the girls shook.
* * *
They made plans to update Kenji early the next morning and then head directly
into the garden, but Piper couldn’t sleep. After reading for a few hours and still not feeling tired, she kicked off her sheets with a grumble and stepped out onto the balcony.
Stars speckled the sky, winking down on the skeletal garden. Tomorrow she’d be one step closer to the elixir. Tomorrow she might even find it.
Her stomach churned. How was she going to break her deal with Julius and Camilla without them hating her? Just thinking about it made her feel sick. She wished she’d been honest from the beginning.
A faraway ringing cut through the house. Piper turned toward her room. There it was again. It almost sounded like a telephone, but according to Julius, there wasn’t a single working line at the estate.
She stood rigid as the muted ringing repeated a third time, a fourth. Then silence spread over Mallory Estate, thick and heavy, until the only thing Piper could hear was her own exhales. Just as she was beginning to think she’d imagined the phone, footsteps sounded in the hall. They drew closer, stopping just outside her room, and someone knocked on Piper’s door.
The only person who would be up and confident enough to be out of bed at this hour was her own mother.
Sure enough, when Piper answered the door, she found Sophia Peavey standing in the hall. She was wearing slippers and a silk robe that hung open over a pair of black cotton pajamas. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun and an eye mask had been pushed onto her forehead.
“A call came for you,” Sophia said. “From that Eva person.”
So the landlines weren’t dead after all, at least not in Sophia’s room.
“You mean Aunt Eva?” Piper asked.
“I guess. She said you never responded to her text over the weekend, so when the news came, she called me directly. Just to be sure she’d get through.”
“What news?” Piper asked. She reached for her locket, terror coiling in her stomach.
“Atticus’s health has taken a turn for the worse. She’s flying in from Colorado tonight, and she said that Melena or I should take you to the hospital immediately.”