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My thoughts were tripping all over themselves in my head, and suddenly I heard Chess’s voice beside me. He was invisible, standing with his lips right next to my ear.
I guess his powers were back.
“I know what you’re going to ask her, and it isnotthe right time.”
His voice was urgent, yet so soft that it sounded like a winter breeze blowing against the windows.
“Yes, Alice? What is it?”
I froze. Amari was waiting for an answer.
“Don’t say a word, Alice,” Chess warned under his breath. “Not a peep.”
“Alice?” Queen Amari was staring at me expectantly.
Everyone was staring at me.
“I, um...well...I know you’re really busy with planning a war and everything...” I choked out, stumbling over my words, “So you don’t have to talk to Jack about my lessons. I’ll talk to him myself.”
“Well done...” Chess breathed into my ear. I felt a soft whoosh of air, and then suddenly he materialized behind the White Rabbit and the White Queen.
Amari blinked at me, then smiled.
“Wonderful. Yes, if you wouldn’t mind speaking to Jack, I do have more pressing things to tend to.”
Amari went back to her conversation with the others, while I contemplated what I’d just volunteered for.
The thought of confronting Jack made my heart thump a little harder...a little faster.
Maybe Chess was right, and Jack was merely concerned for my safety.
Maybe I was right, and Jack simply hated me.
Maybe Callister was right, and Jack just wanted to fuck me.
Whether it was one of the above, some of the above, or none of the above, I pushed the fear aside, knowing that it was time for the master and his apprentice to hash it out, once and for all.
* * *
ChapterEleven
ALICE
I grabbed my practice sword from the weapons wall of the courtyard and marched up to the first guard I saw.
“Where’s Jack’s room?”
A pair of eyes slid down to look at me through the armored mask, but the guard said nothing.
“C’mon! Don’t you know who I am?” I scowled. The irony of using that phrase wasn’t lost on me—I heard it all the time in L.A. but this time was different.
“You’re Alice.”
I wasn’t expecting the guard to answer.
“That’s right,” I went on, tossing my hair over my shoulder as I gathered my thoughts. “So obviously you know I’m supposed to save Wonderland, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
