Before Domenic could muster a response, the forest ended at a cement tunnel in the base of a cliffside. Ropes crisscrossed its entrance, hung with a sign that warnedDANGER–KEEP OUT.
While Hanna ducked beneath it, Domenic asked, “What is this place?”
“You’ll see.”
“But the sign… Are we gonna get in trouble for this?”
“Careful. You wouldn’t want to ruin that whole bad-boy thing you’ve got going on.”
“I’m being serious, Hanna.”
“So am I. Do you know how hard it is to keep a straight face when I hear what they say about you? The boy who always carried flowers in his pocket, now apparently arguing with his teachers? Sleeping with half his class? Your reputation suits you less than Octorion.”
Even if Domenic’s persona was exaggerated, he didn’t care. Anything was better than the alternative. “Whatever. First you drag me into the woods in the middle of the night. Then you won’t tell me anything. And now we’re, what, trespassing? Well, I’m done. I only agreed to this because I never see you anymore. And if youwereever around, you’d know I’m fine! I don’t need your help. I don’t need anyone’s help.”
As he spun to storm off, Hanna seized his wrist and twisted him back around to face her.
“I’m sorry I’m never home anymore,” she rasped. “But I worry about you, and—”
“I told you. I’m fine.”
“I know you better than that.”
He wrenched his hand away. “It’s late. I’m going home.”
“Wait.Please,Dom? For me?”
Domenic’s indignation withered, but it didn’t die. He leaned against a tree, pressed his head against it until the bark bit into the vulnerable meeting point between neck and skull. It smelled like Summer out here. Real Summer. Like mountain moss and honeysuckle and whispered secrets that misted the humid air. Not at all like the sweating asphalt and exhaust fumes he’d grown used to.
“The City of Magic” was Gallamere’s nickname. It didn’t live up to it.
“I swear this will all make sense if you just come with me. If you trust me.” When Domenic still didn’t respond, Hanna rummaged through her pockets until she procured a packet of bubble gum. She slid out two foiled sticks, opening the first for herself and offering the second to him. “Are you really gonna make me kidnap you?”
He snatched it and ripped off the wrapper. He chewed unhappily. “Fine.”
They started into the tunnel, the light from their wands shimmering off the damp floor—Syarthis’s a blazing gold, Domenic’s an artificial, almost fluorescent white. Domenic guessed the tunnel burrowed beneath the city, deep within the mountain. And indeed, within minutes, a passing subway rumbled overhead, like the tossing and turning of a sleeping giant.
Unable to bear the silence, he asked, “How’s Pritha?”
Hanna glowered.
“What? You mock my love life and I can’t ask about yours?”
“We’re not seeing each other anymore,” she replied curtly. Domenic was disappointed but not surprised. It wasn’t like he was the only one who rarely got to spend time with Hanna.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She made this weird squeaky sound whenever she sneezed. I hated it.”
“When did you break up?”
“Oh, about six hours ago. It was mutual. Or, it wasn’t at the time, but I’m pissed now, so it feels mutual.”
“Hm. Are you sure this ismyintervention?”
At last, the passage concluded at a metal door. With a flick of Syarthis, mechanisms churned within its lock. It creaked open, revealing a corridor of vaulted ceilings and timeworn stone. Iron sconces burned along the walls with motionless flame—enchantments.
Domenic stifled a noise of alarm as he realized their destination:the Vault, the very heart of the Magicians Order, housing all Living Wands without a wielder. Never had Domenic known anyone to successfully breach it. After all, it was located thirty floors beneath the Citadel, the Order’s headquarters, which itself was a fortress of towers and wrought iron and over four thousand steps. And if physical obstacles weren’t enough, the Citadel crawled with magicians at all hours. Magicians who carried wands that could dismantle a pistol faster than it could fire. That could summon a lightning strike on a cloudless day, could disintegrate a person into dust.
