The next ruler of Oz? What was he talking about? If the Nome King wanted control of Oz himself, what possible use could I be? Had he been the one behind Dorothy’s return to Oz—and if so, why?

“Maybe we can reach an agreement,” I said carefully, giving Dustin a shove. As confused as he was, he got the message. While I slowly got to my feet, staring down the Nome King, Dustin scooted away on his hands and knees.

The Nome King laughed. “An agreement? I don’t think you’re in a position to bargain, Amy Gumm.”

“She’s not,” said a familiar voice behind me. “But I might be.”

The Nome King’s smile widened, his toothy grin even scarier than his regular expression. “How thrilling,” he said. “Welcome to the party, little wizard.”

SEVENTEEN

“Nox,” I hissed. “What are you doing here?”

“You can’t use magic, Amy. There’s no way you can fight the Nome King by yourself.”

“Did Mombi send you?” He didn’t answer, his eyes on the Nome King, which made me think he had come here on his own. I had no idea what the consequences were for a witch who disobeyed Quadrant orders, but I was guessing Gert, Glamora, and Mombi wouldn’t be too happy with Nox’s solo mission.

The Nome King was obviously enjoying the moment. “Do you really think you can protect her against me, little boy? Your magic barely works here. You’re weak and far from home. I urge you to let the matter rest. I have no wish to do harm to your friend.” The way he stressed the word clearly indicated that he guessed Nox and I had feelings for each other—and that he found it funny.

“This isn’t a game,” Nox said in a low voice. I knew what Nox was doing. After all, he’d trained me. He was testing the Nome King’s defenses, looking for a weakness. But the Nome King had already said his magic didn’t work like ours.

“Amy, who are those people? What—what happened to Assistant Principal Strachan?” Shit. I’d forgotten about Dustin. He was still in the hallway.

“Dustin, I mean it! Get out of here!” I hissed.

“I’m not going to just leave you!”

“I can take care of myself!” He didn’t budge. “Go call the police!” I yelled. There was nothing a Kansas cop could do to stop a creature like the Nome King, but at least that would get Dustin out of harm’s way.

“I’m not leaving you!” he repeated.

“Just do it!”

The Nome King lunged forward, reaching out his long thin fingers for me.

“Amy!” Nox shouted.

“I see!” I ducked under the Nome King’s arms, my own training kicking in as I somersaulted across the hallway and landed in a crouch next to the display case. But the Nome King hadn’t been coming for me at all: he’d been going for Nox, who threw up a quick shield that the Nome King batted away as if it was made of cobwebs.

“This matter does not concern you, child,” he said evenly. “If you wish to leave, you will leave us now.”

“I’m not a child,” Nox said grimly. He raised glowing hands, tendrils of fire licking along his fingers and condensing into a ball of flame in his palms. The Nome King laughed—that same awful, sinister laughter that slid into my skull like a knife blade. I howled with pain, clapping my hands to my ears. Nox was doubled over, too, tongues of fire dripping harmlessly off his fingers. I had to get us out of here. We couldn’t possibly fight off the Nome King if I didn’t have magic. I had no doubt he’d kill Nox if he got in the way of whatever the king wanted with me.

Could be worse, I thought. At least he’s not into glitter.

The silver shoes were the only chance I had for Nox and me to escape. But the Nome King wanted me to take them. What was I getting myself into if I was accidentally obeying him while I tried to save Nox’s life? The Nome King advanced toward Nox, grinning, the long spidery fingers of each hand lengthening and turning silver like the Tin Woodman’s knife-fingered minions. If I didn’t act now, Nox was toast. I pulled off my sweatshirt, wrapped it twice around my arm, and brought my elbow down on the glass diorama case with all my strength. Pain blazed up my arm, and for a second I thought I’d been dumb enough to break my arm instead of the glass. But a long, satisfying crack had appeared on the glass case. One more blow, and the case shattered. Behind me, Nox and the Nome King were circling each other, the Nome King moving easily and Nox’s movements tight with anxiety. The Nome King was toying with him like a cat batting a mouse around before she kills it. But at least his sick little game was keeping Nox alive for the moment. <