“Pfft. I’ve been on dates with tall guys before. I’d even grow a little. For Henri, I’d do almost anything.”
“Anything, huh? How about—”
“What are you two gossiping about?” Henri asked.
My mouth snapped shut, and heat dashed across my cheeks.
“Yes, Alice. Whatwereyou saying?” Dee said, her voice sickly sweet.
“I was wondering . . .” I paused because Hatter was watching me with those intense green eyes that made me shiver. “When will we get started with this whole killing the queen thing?”
“Oh, you told her?” Dum looked relieved. “Good. I hated keeping secrets from my new best friend!”
Although my heart had frozen over upon learning that everyone had manipulated me, those words melted it a little.
Damn pixies and their cuteness would ruin my rep.
“Alice, I’d like to show you something.”
As soon as Hatter turned his back, Dee leaned in close.
“Should I tell him what you were really about to say—hey!”
I shoved her off my shoulder and she plummeted with a squeal until her wings caught her.
“That was—”
“Warranted,” I hissed, and then batted her away before joining Hatter, who was pulling a cloth cover off one easel.
“What’s this?” I asked, taking in the painting.
“A map of Wonderland Island. Or as close to a reliable map as I can create.”
With all the vibrant colors and strange shapes, it didn’t look like any map I’d ever seen. But then again, today I’d seen forests with trees of every shade. Obviously, things in Wonderland were unique.
“What are all the animal-looking things?” I pointed to what appeared to be a swarm of sea monsters in the ocean.
“Those are kraken.” Hatter gestured to the sea creature “One of the many types of creatures under the queen’s influence.”
“What does she use them for?”
“The Red Queen rarely leaves her castle. Instead, she relies on soldiers—some official, some not—and enchanted animals to keep the peace. Her appearances have grown even more sparse in the last year. We think perhaps that’s because of the threat you pose.”
My lips curled up. Too right. “We’ll have to get me a weapon before I sneak into the castle and take her on. A dagger, preferably. I left mine back at home.”
Henri put up a hand. “Hold up. One thing at a time. A dagger?”
“It’s my weapon. Back home they call me Alice the Dagger. It’s all I need to defeat the Red Queen.”
“But why would you need that when you’re aether-blessed?”
I arched my eyebrows. “I can’t control aether.”
He twisted to face me, his expression incredulous as he held up a finger. “One. A dagger willnotbe enough against the Red Queen.” Another slender digit popped up, joining the first. “And two—you might have forgotten . . . which I don’t quite understand . . . but you most definitely can use aether.”
I scoffed, annoyed at his presumption that he knew my magic better than I did. “I’m sorry, but I’ve broken up vicious underground shifter rings. I’ve taken on vampire clan leaders—ancients. Most recently, I survived a damneddemon war. That said, I’m pretty sure I can handle a fae queen with a dagger.”
Hatter was studying me, listening to my every word, but his face revealed none of his thoughts. Was he impressed? Scared?
