Sylvie grabbed the straps on her backpack and firmly planted her feet. The cookbook pressed against her back as they sailed toward the melting doors. The Golden Whisk was on the other side.
“Duck your head,” cried Sylvie.
Whoosh!
The last remnants of the train compartment vanished as they soared into the arena.
The Golden Whisk
SYLVIE’S FEET HIT SOLID GROUND. THE CRATE GROANED ANDcrumbled.
Flora appeared and ran over to them.
“I was so worried about you two! Where did you learn to ride like that?” Flora suddenly looked at Sylvie with admiration. “It was awesome.”
Georgia stepped over the remnants. “I don’t care what my momma says, ladiesshouldride skateboards. You and that thing saved us!”
Sylvie gave one of the wooden planks a dramatic flick.It feels good to finally be the expert in the room.She wanted to enjoy this moment a bit longer, but she couldn’t. She looked around. “Did Guy make it?”
Flora pointed to the entrance. “Impossible to say.”
Sylvie stared back. On this side, a polished metal door was all that was visible.
“I’m sure LeGrande will know what to do,” said Flora reassuringly.
“But where is he?” asked Georgia.
That’s what Sylvie was wondering too. She searched through the crowd. Men and women were pushing carts piled high with extraordinary merchandise and delicious food. Between them, posters twenty feet tall sailed through the air. Each one depicted a promising Sage, vying for the grand prize.
Sylvie continued to scan the crowd.
She’d imagined LeGrande rushing over, flanked by a security team of Sages, Blades at the ready.
The scent of onions and cumin wafted over. An Indian man wearing an embroidered silk blouse hustled past with a food cart.
“Excuse me.” Sylvie eyed the sign tacked to its front.ARJUN’SBUBBLE& SQUEAK: ALL PIES SEASONED WITH A MAGICAL BLEND OFTRANSPARENTTEJPATTA ANDCANDIDCURRY.
“Would you care for a hand pie?” asked Arjun. He lifted a lid, allowing more of the fragrant spices to escape. “We have cauliflower and pea, potato with urad dal, and my favorite, ginger and lamb.”
“Maybe later?” Her stomach gave an objective grumble. “We’re looking for Fernand LeGrande.”
Arjun shrugged and closed the lid. “The competition just started. So, I imagine he’s in the arena.”
“Are you sure?” asked Sylvie, trying to suppress the panic that was rocketing up.
Arjun nodded.
“Now what?” asked Georgia.
Flora looked as if she’d swallowed a lemon. “I can’t believe it. I finally beat Belinda in the Commis Contest, only to show up late.”
“I don’t understand,” said Sylvie. “Why would LeGrande start the competition? Guy sent him an urgent message. He should’ve gotten it by now.”
“What if it got lost?” said Georgia. “Last Christmas, we got a fruitcake that was supposed to go to a lady in Brazil.”
Flora shook her head. “Impossible. Cwtch mail is one of the first spells you learn at Brindille. Besides, Guy is an expert.”
Georgia’s lips twisted. “So, if LeGrande didn’t get Guy’s message … does that mean it got lost on purpose?”
