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Windows appeared on the walls of the large room—tall, expansive windows. The sky outside boiled red. The scent of smoke seared my nostrils. Paint peeled from the walls. My heart pulsed in my throat. This was the real building, the one hidden behind the illusion. We’d stumbled upon this truth before.
“This is just like when I hit the security button outside,” Imogen squeaked. She clung harder to my arm. “The demon horse is going to get us.”
“Quiet,”I whisper-yelled at her.
The door groaned as it opened.
Inside was a broken mirror, half of a toilet, and a bathtub with a closed shower curtain.
“If Maize isn’t in here, where is he?” Imogen asked.
There was only one place he could be, where Silas could be.
Before I could respond, the shower curtain burst open with a screech. Something large and fast flew right at my face.
CHAPTER 28
“Ahhhh!”Imogen screamed as she took a swing at the creature jumping at me.
Even in shadowy darkness, I recognized the globe eye and the excitement on the blue ball’s face. It was Fernando.
“Don’t hur—” I tried to warn Imogen that it was Fernando, and not to hurt him, but before the words could leave my mouth, Fernando landed on my face and hugged my head. And Imogen smashed the side of his head.
Fernando scurried around my shoulders and buried himself in my hair.
I put up my hands. “It’s Fernando. Don’t hit us again.”
“Fiddlesticks.” Imogen clutched her chest. “I was sure it was a demon lamb.”
“What’s with your sheep phobia?” I asked.
“It’s not a phobia if the fear is rational,” Imogen said.
“Is safe?” Fernando asked.
“What’s he saying?” Imogen asked.
“He’s asking if you’re going to hit him again,” I said. “Imogen won’t hurt you, will you?”
“I’m so sorry,” Imogen said. “Truly.”
“She no hit?” Fernando asked.
“She’s done hitting,” I said.
“It was just the once,” Imogen said. “I really thought I was saving your life, Lily.”
“I appreciate your concern,” I said. “Fernando, how did you end up here? What did you see? Did you see Silas?”
“I follow Chocolate Man here,” he said.
“You’ve seen Silas?” A tiny glimmer of fragile hope filled my chest. “Is he all right?”
Fernando adjusted himself on my shoulders. “No.”
My hope shattered.
“He will be,” I said, ignoring my thrumming pulse and the sinking feeling in my gut. “Iwillsave him.”
