Coffee didn’t exist in Wonderland, which was yet another reason to finish the job of killing the Red Queen and hightail it back to the human world.
I plucked what Dum had informed me was the most caffeinated tea in the stash, and prepared a bag. When the kettle screamed, I poured boiling water over the tea, savoring the nutty, malty scent that rose from my cup.
“What’s the plan for today?” I joined the twins.
“Not sure,” Dum said, shooting Dee a look that said ‘keep quiet’.
I sniggered. These girls would never make it as assassins. They wore their expressions too openly.
“Hatter didn’t mention anything after I went to bed last night?”
“Everyone turned in after you,” Dee piped up.
I rolled my eyes at their sweet fae attempts to lie by omission. I’d separated from the group right after dinner, needing alone time. But thanks to the creaking floors of the house, I always heard when Henri returned to his room. Last night, that had been hours after me. Clearly, the sisters, who lived under the stairs, didn’t realize how noisy the halls were upstairs.
“I’m not sure that’s—”
“Biscuits incoming!” March Hare burst into the room holding a tray of steaming rolls that made my mouth water.
“Isadora’s daughter dropped them off. Scoot over!” he commanded the twins, who fluttered two seats away in a huff.
March Hare deposited the tray onto the table with a clatter, and fell into the chair. “I hope that’s enough!”
“For what? And can I have one?” I asked, unable to stop sniffing the air. Was there anything better than freshly baked bread?
March Hare’s eyes narrowed, and he moved the tray a few feet away. “No, no, no! These are for the meeting today. No one touch!”
Yeesh, and Xavier thought I was testy.
“A meeting?” My gaze swung to Dee and Dum. “So that’s what’s happening?”
“Not for you.” The door swung open again, and Henri appeared, looking as handsome as ever. “We’re going on a journey.”
“A journey? As in . . . outside this shack? What about the bandersnatch herd?”
“I’m sorry that headquarters isn’t to your liking, Your Highness.” Hatter moved to the tea stash and started preparing his own cup.
I scowled. “Don’t call me that. Or ‘Princess’.”
I was interested in avenging my parents and meeting my sister, but I still had no desire to take the crown—a position that made everyone in headquarters nervous.
“As you wish.” He twisted around, mug in hand. “But yes, you, Dee, Dum, and myself will leave today.”
“Why?”
“I spoke with Sansu, who you haven’t met yet. He had what I thought was a brilliant idea. Since we’ve been training, it’s clear to me that you’re strong with four elements. I can’t help but think that it would be doing you a great disservice by not trying to relearn how to use your aether magic.” I shook my head, annoyed, but Henri didn’t even blink. “I want to find an aether-blessed fae who can teach you to use the fifth element.”
My lips pursed, but Henri steamrolled right over what was about to be my adamant protest.
“I know you don’t believe that you have it, but Iknowyou do. The power to manipulate the fifth element doesn’t just disappear. And after seeing how strong you are with the other four elements, I bet that once you find your aether magic again, it won’t take long until you remember how to use it.”
Tension creeped up my neck. He seemed so positive, but I felt the exact opposite, and wished he’d drop the whole aether-blessed thing.
“I really think I should get on with scoping out the bandersnatch herd, or maybe the castle. Recon is key.”
“If you want to drastically increase the chances of losing your head, that sounds like a great plan,” Hatter replied as the kettle began to whistle at his back.
My fists balled. “I wouldn’t—”
