After Mira’s introduction, he felt like any description he gave would sound anticlimactic. “I’m not a princess.”

“He’s a wanted slave who came here from Outside,” Joe clarified.

“He’s with us now,” Mira added. “A trusted ally.”

“This is the wildest news we’ve had in years,” Madeline said with breathless excitement. “I’m in the inner circle of the Unseen, but I never heard a whisper of it.”

“We’re very careful about sharing this knowledge,” Joe said. “Their mother kept the secret to herself for a great while. Only recently has she reached out to a few among the Unseen. Many of our most trusted members have no idea. The information is only shared when the need is most dire. I’m serving as her protector.”

“Think of what this could mean to the revolution,” Verilan murmured.

“We’re well aware,” Joe said. “First priority is to secure the other princesses. Do you have any information about recent Ellowine prisoners surrounded by the highest levels of secrecy and security?”

Madeline put a hand to her mouth. “Blackmont Castle.”

Verilan nodded. “In Edgemont. They’re keeping a nameless prisoner there under unusually strict guard.”

“Edgemont is just outside of Merriston,” Joe told Mira. “It’s in line with the marker that initially guided us.”

“Marker?” Madeline asked.

“Until recently, we had an indicator that pointed toward Honor’s location,” Joe said. “It no longer functions.”

“Our best spies only know that the prisoner exists,” Madeline said. “None have managed to confirm the identity. There has been much speculation about what prisoner would demand such extreme precautions. It must be her.”

“It’s our first good lead in some time,” Joe said. “Thank you.”

Cole felt relieved that the lead was near Merriston. That meant finding Dalton could stay his top priority without pulling everyone else off course from searching for Honor.

“It’s the least we could do,” Madeline said. “Your secrets require more trust than I expected. I want to share mine.”

“Are you sure?” Verilan asked.

“Positive,” she replied. “My name is not Madeline. I’m Skye. I change my appearance every few months, as if Verilan keeps hiring new assistants. They’re characters I play.”

“I couldn’t perform the show without her,” Verilan confessed. “I’m the apprentice in this partnership. Almost all the seemings you witnessed tonight were hers.”

“Wait,” Joe said. “Skye. Are you Skye Ryland?”

She gave a little bow. “At your service.”

Joe chuckled incredulously. “You’re a legend! One of the best illusionists in all of Elloweer. And one of the main leaders of the resistance.”

She gave a little wave. “Unseen. Inner circle. I wasn’t lying.”

Jace gestured at Verilan. “What do you really look like?”

“This is me,” Verilan said, spreading his hands and flashing a practiced smile.

Skye covered her mouth and whispered, “I helped him with the tan.”

“The tan is enhanced,” Verilan agreed. “And my real name is Alan. Not that it matters. I go by Verilan everywhere.”

Skye approached Mira and took one of her hands. “We’re in the same kind of trouble. I’m wanted. Not as badly as you, but I have plenty of enemies, including your father. This act is my camouflage. I’m a fugitive.”

“We don’t want to put you in greater danger,” Mira apologized.

“You misunderstand,” Skye said. “I want to share your danger. There won’t be any fee for my services. I don’t just want to help you with disguises. I want to help you find your sister.”

“What about the show?” Verilan asked, a little shaken.

“You could team up with Mandy,” Skye said. “Have her pose as your latest assistant. She could handle most of my illusions. Or you could take a break. We’ve made plenty of money. Our arrangement was never meant to be permanent.”

“You want to join us?” Joe asked Skye.

“I’ve never heard opportunity knock so loudly,” Skye said. “It isn’t every day I get the chance to strike a serious blow against the High King. Will you have me?”

Joe turned, deferring to Mira.

“Absolutely,” Mira said. “We plan to leave Carthage soon.”

Cole let out a breath. He had seen Skye’s seemings in action. It would be a huge advantage to have help from someone with her talents.

“Good,” Skye said. “Most of the people looking for you have no idea who you really are, but word is out about your presence here. I should age you. People are watching for a girl and three boys.”

“You should make Cole older as well,” Mira said.

“What’s your story?” Skye asked him.

“My slavemark got changed to a freemark,” Cole said, holding up his hand to display the mark. “But the slaver who captured me saw me and is after me.”

“Which slaver?”

“Ansel Pratt.”

Skye grimaced. “He’s a nasty one. But I can only adjust one of you tonight. A lasting seeming saps a lot of strength, and I’m already worn down after the show.”

“How do you keep your energy up?” Mira asked. “There were so many seemings tonight.”

“Prep work helps,” Skye said. “I enchant items to produce certain illusions, like the hoop, or the bracelet that turns Verilan into the announcer. Verilan assists with several of the seemings. Even after major preparations, the show still requires a great deal of effort and concentration. If I stretch beyond my limits, I could end up sick, dead, or insane, and anyone nearby could be injured as well. But I’m confident I can handle one of you tonight.”

“Change Mira tonight,” Cole said. “She’s in the most danger.”

“Okay,” Skye said. “We’ll meet up tomorrow and I’ll disguise Cole. How soon do you want to leave town?”

“I’d love to be on our way before nightfall tomorrow,” Joe said. “Day after that at the latest.”

“Then let’s take care of Mira and get you out of here,” Skye said. “Do you mind leaving me alone with her? Work like this goes better without distractions. You can wait right outside.”