Sylvie headed back toward the worktable. Flora was standing there, piping bag clutched to her chest.
“You all right—” A shadow caught Sylvie’s attention.
There was Fernand, standing near the stove, flames dancing beneath his eyes. “Ah … Sylvie.” His voice turned silky. “You and your friends ran off.”
Flora glanced at her. “I wanted to warn you … but didn’t know how.”
“It’s fine.” Sylvie glared at Fernand. “We found the cwtch. You lied!”
“True. But you should’ve stayed in my office”—his voice lost its melodic tone—“and done what you were told.”
Sylvie’s face grew hot. “I’m sick of grown-ups telling me what to do. Besides, I’ve got a new plan, and it doesn’t include helping you.” She pounded a fist into her chest. “You know what I think, you’re just as sore about losing as Josephine.”
“Tsk. Tsk.Perhaps I haven’t been totally transparent. But I didn’t lie about telling Josephine to let go of the past. Some things are more important than winning.” Fernand smiled, but something about it made Sylvie’s hairs stand on end.
“Then why didn’t you stop the competition as soon as you got Guy’s cwtch? Why did you hide it?”
Fernand wagged a finger in the air. “I’m a showman, Sylvie. We must always consider our viewers. I intended to sort out Josephine. But then you came along, messing it up. First, you managed to wrangle your way out of the train. Then, there were the dragons. Now, this… . But it’s okay. I have a new plan too.”
Sylvie could almost feel him now, pulling her into his coils. “The train melting … it was because of you?”
Fernand nodded. “I may not be as brilliant with spells as my father, but I’ve learned to find clever ways to use magic.”
“Like topiarying the hallway?” asked Flora.
“I might have suggested to Jasper’s commis that he start early with the jokes. My mirror has been quite invaluable … but sometimes it doesn’t pay to have eyes everywhere.”
“But why would you sabotage your own competition?” asked Sylvie.
Fernand’s face twisted hideously. “All these years, everyone was so focused on who benefited the most from winning. No one ever bothered to ask,who had something to gain from losing?”
Sylvie could see the missing pieces pulling together like salt crystals clinging to a string. “You … wanted to lose?”
“Wantis a strong word. It would’ve been nice to win … to not have betrayed my best friend, my father, but—”
“Some things matter more than winning,” finished Sylvie.
“Exactly!” Fernand clapped. “It’s a shame I’m going to have to let you take the fall for what’s about to happen. I like you.”
Sylvie was hyperventilating.Stay calm,she reminded herself, as she tried her best to stall. “But why ruin Josephine’s spell?”
Fernand sighed. “My father was a brilliant Sage, but a terrible businessman. He sunk every penny into building this arena. But then the competition became less popular. Every year, France was at the top of the podium. Where’s the fun if you already know who will win?”
Sylvie took a step back as Fernand moved closer.
“I knew it was just a matter of time before we’d have to shutter the whole thing. I wasn’t about to see my future turn to ashes.” Fernand laughed. “After we lost, everyone was talking about the Golden Whisk for months.Did Team USA cheat? Were the judges fair?I put the competition back where it belonged … in the spotlight!”
Realization cut through Sylvie like a sharp knife. She felt it now, slicing through the darkness, revealing something very ugly.She was betrayed by an old friend … Julia wasn’t talking about Mom. She was talking about Josephine.
“You sabotaged your own team and left my mom to take the fall,” said Sylvie.
“Yes,” said Fernand. “My father should’ve thanked me for saving his legacy. But even then, I got no praise. He was furious when he realized what I’d done. I tried to reason with him. But he wouldn’t listen.” The memory of it seemed to make him angry all over again. “He decided to confess. He sent cwtches, explaining it all to your mom and her team. He was planning to tell the judges next. Could you imagine if the CCS found out? Naturally, I had to stop him.”
A chill ran down Sylvie’s spine.
Flora glared at him. “Maybe no one suspected you before, but they’ll learn the truth now. I’m going to tell Madame Godard.”
Fernand stared pleasantly at her. “Trust me. You won’t say a thing.”
