Domenic was so startled and mortified that he chucked the phone across his bed, making its coiled cord tumble to the floor. By the time he’d scrambled to grab it, Ellery had hung up.
But he could still feel her. She hadn’t released Iskarius.
I’ll let go when she does,he thought as he slid himself beneath his sheets and tried vainly to settle himself, even as his stomach fizzed like a shaken bottle of soda pop.
She never did.
He didn’t either.
Until hopefully, shamefully, blissfully, Domenic fell asleep across the City of Magic beside her.
XXIIELLERY
WINTER
When the darkness descends to its deepest,Ellery recited to herself,a hero’s flame illumes the cast of night.
In the nearly three weeks of waiting to fulfill their previous prophecy piece, Winter had remained docile. No scurge or ghast attacks had been reported since Ellery and Domenic had fought Decibel. Now, at last, the Winter solstice had arrived, and Ellery was more confident than ever that the Chosen Two would receive their next piece at sundown during the solstice ceremony, when they’d be the first in the country to light their candles on the longest night of the year.
Domenic peeked behind the stage curtain and scoffed. “This is just as ridiculous as I remember.”
“Wait, you’ve gone to the Solstice Gala before?” Ellery asked.
“When I was ten, Darby Motors was that year’s primary sponsor. My dad dragged the whole family.” He gestured with false grandness at the logo on his electric candle, then he tugged at his gaudy Summer-gold bow tie.
“Oh, how you’ve suffered,” she quipped. “You know,Iused to dream of attending the gala. It’s got the best red carpet looks.”
Domenic’s gaze strayed over her. His brow quirked. “I’ll admit, I’m not suffering so much this year.”
Ellery flushed beneath her makeup, pleased. For her own red carpet look, she’d chosen a dress that she hoped befitted her status as a fashion icon, cut from deep indigo silk that draped and flared and flattered. Her hair was an airy halo around her cheeks, her now-trademark necklace prominently displayed ather throat and paired with matching earrings. The back of her gown dipped daringly low, leaving her aware of the rustle of air against her shoulder blades. And even as Domenic looked hastily away, she couldn’t stop wondering how his hands would feel, skimming her spine. Despite still being careful not to touch skin to skin, their flirting was growing more difficult to deny.
Ellery was spared from having to respond when the CEO of the Aldrish National Bank, this year’s gala sponsor, announced, “Give a warm welcome to our special guests: the Chosen Two!”
Applause thundered as Ellery and Domenic emerged onto the stage overlooking the dim ballroom. The Solstice Gala was always hosted in the political district’s Crystalline Pavilion, as the venue’s glass exterior offered the perfect sunset view. The guests ranged from businessmen and politicians to actors and other celebrities. Golden-hour light cascaded upon their fine clothes and coiffed hair, their electric candles raised aloft like champagne glasses in expectation of a toast. It was all a far cry from the Winter before, when Ellery’s festivities had consisted of a messy student party at the Citadel.
“And now,” the CEO said, as the sun sank below the horizon, “let the Chosen Two be the first line of defense against our bleakest night.”
The entire room descended into an expectant hush. Beyond the windows, lights doused across the skyline until the City of Magic was swathed in shadow. Even though Ellery knew it was all for show, the sight still made her breath hitch.
Together, Domenic and Ellery switched on their electric taper candles. Soon more candles joined their own, until the room was illuminated by a hundred tiny spotlights.
Ellery waited, listening. This was the moment. It had to be. And since Domenic had received the last prophecy piece, presumably it was her turn. But as seconds dragged on, she heard nothing.
Domenic leaned down and whispered. “Anything?”
“No. I’m guessing you didn’t hear anything either?”
“Nope.”
“Put your hands together for Alderland’s heroes!” crowed the CEO. The crowd clapped again. A band broke into a jaunty tune. And the Solstice Gala began in earnest.
The two of them hurried offstage, where Glynn and Hanna waited expectantly in the greenroom. Yet when Ellery and Domenic explained they’d come up empty, their questions turned from eager to anxious.
“Should we find the rest of the Council?” Ellery asked nervously.
“No, we don’t have time for a meeting,” said Glynn. “If the piece really does refer to tonight, we have a mere fifteen hours until dawn.”
Domenic blanched. “What happens if we don’t get the next one in time?”
