“PLEASE,” NOVA TERRON said, glancing around the Star Chamber. “I would urge calm.”
“Calm!” Gandobi cried. “You separated the twins! And you kept this knowledge from the council. From me?”
“When Tazma probed your mind to learn the secret of the prophecy—” Proxima started.
“She no doubt uncovered this secret,” Gandobi said. “Of the princess and her twin!”
“That is why we need to find the twin before Necrafa does,” Arkayna said. They had been discussing the twins all morning. The rest of the Astromancers felt betrayed that Nova Terron hadn’t told them what had happened all those years before.
“How in the heavens do we do that? No one knows anything about her!” Gandobi said.
“One person does,” Nova Terron corrected him. “Hortensia Q. Sparklebottom.”
Piper’s high-pitched giggle split the air. “Sparklebottom?”
Nova Terron ignored her. “She is the matron of the orphanage I sent the girl to. She keeps records of each child she takes in.”
“Find the file, find the twin!” Em said hopefully.
“Yes, but no one cares for children as fiercely as Mrs. Sparklebottom,” Nova Terron said. Again Piper laughed, and again Nova Terron ignored her. “She will protect that information with her life.”
“And I’d risk my life to get it,” Arkayna said.
“Just tell us where to find this”—Zarya paused, glancing sideways at Piper—“Mrs. S.”
“The location of her sanctuary is cloaked by fairy magic,” Nova Terron explained. “This spell will guide you there.” He lit up Arkayna’s Dragon Staff with magical energy. “The fate of the realm lies in your hands, Dragon Mage.”
The Mysticons were just about to leave when Proxima stepped in front of them. “Hold on just a parsec,” she said. “What about the princess?”
“Necrafa could come for her!” Gandobi cried.
Arkayna froze. She tried to keep her expression calm. No one besides the Mysticons and Nova Terron knew her real identity. It was safer that way.
“The princess can take care of herself,” Arkayna said. “Trust me.”
“With all due respect, why should we trust you?” Proxima insisted. “There’s only one sure way to prevent the prophecy—by keeping the princess under lock and key.”
Arkayna was about to argue with her, but the other Astromancers murmured their agreement. She looked to Nova Terron, hoping he’d say something in her defense, but he didn’t. “Very well,” he finally agreed. “By order of the council, Princess Arkayna will be kept under guard in these hallowed halls … indefinitely.”
Arkayna smiled, trying not to let her panic show. How could she find her twin if she was trapped inside the Astromancer Academy?
While the rest of the Mysticons prepared for their mission, Arkayna followed Nova Terron into the hallway. As soon as they were out of sight of the rest of the Astromancers, she pleaded with him. “The others can’t find the orphanage without me!”
Choko, who’d been listening to the whole conversation, jumped onto Arkayna’s shoulder. He seemed as annoyed at Nova Terron as she was. He let out an angry chirp.
“But you can’t accompany them and be here as well,” Nova Terron said. “Unless…”
They both looked at Choko.
“I can be in two places at once,” Arkayna said, realizing what Nova Terron meant. She tossed some foz snacks onto the ground, distracting Choko. He chewed happily on the Jackalope Jerky as Nova Terron moved in on him, casting a spell. “By the power of the skies, let this creature be disguised.…”
In an instant, Choko was transformed into a spitting image of Princess Arkayna. He had two big strips of Jackalope Jerky coming out of his mouth, and he didn’t speak English, but it was still very convincing.
“Oh my goblin!” Arkayna smiled. “He—she’s perfect.”
Princess Arkayna was perched on the ground like an animal. She lifted her foot up and used it to scratch behind her ear.
“Almost perfect,” Arkayna corrected.
“Come along, Princess,” Nova Terron said, helping Choko to his back feet. “I must protect you.”