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“That is a matter best left to the king.” Her tone indicated that she did not like it.

“I understand.”

“Do you? Because we warned you away from investigating matters related to the Between and yet here you are again, once more in the thick of it.”

So they were going to talk about it.

Adam threw up his hands. “I just went to a concert! But people are dying, Argent. My people, witches and sensitives. Lost Ones, too, though they might be behind it.”

“They might,” she agreed. “They’re certainly behind that.”

Ahead, her car was aflame. Its windows had been smashed, and its sleek, futuristic hood was spray-painted with the Wolf’s head and a rough scrawl that read No Royals. No Rules.

Argent sighed.

“It was the latest model too.”

“You could just, you know, fix it.”

“Yes, but I’d always know.”

“Um, you should know that those batteries can explode.”

“Of course they can.” She shook her head. “I have to say, while I admire your species’ gift for engineering, I do wish they’d eliminate the combustion issue.”

“What can I say? We like explosions.”

“Yes, I’ve seen your films.” She gestured and the car vanished, leaving only a scorch mark behind. “It should do little damage now.”

“Was it a volcano?” he asked.

She gave him a confused look.

“Never mind.”

Another gesture and they were back at the gates of the Northern Watchtower.

Nothing obvious had changed. The Lost Ones remained. Maybe there were a few more tents. There certainly were more fires, but maybe it was just dinner time and they were cooking.

The breeze carried odors that seemed to confirm his theory. Adam’s stomach grumbled.

“What are they eating?”

“Whatever they can. We’ve tried to bring them food but they reject it. We tried to help the girl, Lily, but she would not let us approach or use magic.” Argent lifted the sword and the gates opened. “Carl has brought her medicine from your world, but I fear she will not survive.”

Adam thought she’d lead him to the ballroom, to report to Silver before they continued their investigation, but she brought him to a smaller building labeled Labyrinthe, Crystal Palace.

Argent waved for him to enter.

“After you.”

“The mirror maze?”

She lifted an eyebrow.

“Why do you hesitate?”

“I just thought you’d have gone with the bumper cars or the race track.”