“Right.” Sylvie chewed on her lower lip, picking her words carefully. “Is Jack Bass’s visit to Brindille connected to my mom competing at the Golden Whisk?”
“Funny,” said Julia. “You’re the second person to ask me that today.”
“Really? Who was the first?” Sylvie hoped it wasn’t a waste of a question.
“Madame Godard.”
“Godard? You mean,shewas your appointment?”
Julia nodded.
Sylvie’s heart raced. “What did you tell her?”
“I told her Bass has a specific commis in mind for this year’s Golden Whisk, someone he’s very close to.”
Belinda,thought Sylvie.
Julia continued. “Thatdidn’t seem to surprise Godard. But what did was when I told her Bass wants to influence the outcome at this year’s all-star competition. After that, Godard said she understood what she needed to do. Then, she asked me if August Strange is somehow connected to all this.”
Sylvie couldn’t help but think of the look Godard had given her in the office, like she’d known Sylvie was lying about how she recognized August Strange. More questions raced through Sylvie’s mind.But which one to choose?She needed to be strategic. “How are Strange and the Apple of Discord connected to all this?”
“Strange is trying to stop what Bass is doing, but he won’t succeed without your help.”
“How am I supposed to help when I don’t even know where Strange is?” said Sylvie.
“You’ll see him again, when it matters most.”
“And when is that?” Sylvie asked.
“That I cannot say … I suspect he put up a blocking spell to protect his next move.”
Smart,thought Sylvie, feeling a little relieved.
“But I sense he’s safe, with like-minded friends who value truth and fairness over gold.”
Sylvie’s mind wandered back to the conversation she’d overheard during the apron fitting.It wasn’t just our scrolls that were infiltrated. The notice appeared on the entire scroll system… . A resistance is forming!If August was with the resistance, that would explain how they knew about the Apple of Discord. Mist was starting to drift out of the pot on the stove, slowly turning the room hazy.
“We don’t have much time left,” said Julia.
Sylvie stared into the fog. Maybe her surroundings were getting murky, but her mind was becoming clear.When all eyes are focused on the same point, that’s when I’ll show everyone the truth.That’s what August had said in the diner. Only now, it made sense.He must’ve been talking about exposing Bass at the Golden Whisk! The world will be watching. But how?It would be impossible for Strange to show his face there. Sylvie snapped back to attention. “Can we stop Bass?”
Julia closed her eyes. “That all depends on what happens at All-Stars… . I see a powerful spell being unleashed. Foraged mushrooms. Herbs. Rings of puff pastry.”
“Is it my mom’s spell?”
A crease suddenly formed between Julia’s brows. “No. It’s …Vindicti-au-vent!”
“What’sVindicti-au-vent?” asked Sylvie.
Julia made a noise like a chicken plucked clean. “A forbidden recipe.”
Sylvie couldn’t help but think of the ingredients that had been stolen from Tidwick’s.
“Oh no! This is terrible,” cried Julia. “She was deceived by an old friend.”
“Who? You mean my mom?” The air around Sylvie grew thick.
“Yes!” Julia squeezed her eyes shut tighter. “Wait … no … I’m not sure. It’s all too murky.”
