“What’s a physica?”
“Tommy’s dad is a physica for the army. That’s probably where Beni and his friends got the idea. They’re often mechanical engineers or physicists. I can see how they’d be good at video games,” said Lachlan, sounding amused.
Everyone fell silent as the white dome of Parliament appeared before them, and James pulled into a parking spot. Scarlett climbed out of the SUV and looked up at the impressive façade of Clair de Lune’s parliament. Four enormous white columns framed a massive ornate doorway. Two soldiers stood at attention, guarding the entrance, and they both saluted Lachlan as he led their group through the doors into the lobby.
With a wave of farewell, James and Brayden cut across the lobby toward the registrar’s office.
“This way,” said Lachlan, leading the rest of them upstairs.
Scarlett read the plaques on the doors as they passed.“Bureau of Veterans Affairs” read one. Another read “Ministry of Education.”
Lachlan opened a door with a plaque that read “Clair de Lune Intelligence Agency.”
The clerk at the front desk looked up as they entered and stood as soon as he clocked who it was. “Good morning, General Maddox. How can I help?”
“An incident cropped up this morning with Soleil.” He gestured to Scarlett and Beni. “These two have been reported as kidnapped, when they’re actually just visiting Clair de Lune with their grandmother. Can you please tell whoever is in charge this morning that we need to speak with Soleil law enforcement as soon as possible?”
“Yes, sir. Right away.” The clerk disappeared through a door.
A handful of minutes later, he reappeared.
“I’ll take you through the veritas now.”
Through the doorway, a gray stone archway stood a few feet in front of them. Golden dust with a greenish tint shone under it. The clerk walked straight through the arch without hesitation. Lachlan made to follow him, but Scarlett put her hand on his arm.
“What’s a veritas? Is it that archway?” she asked.
“Yes. If you’re not telling the truth about why you’re here, it won’t let you pass through it.”
“Will it reject me for being a Soleil peer?” asked Scarlett.
The corner of Lachlan’s mouth turned upward. “Not unless all this business was an elaborate ruse to get into our intelligence office and steal Clair de Lune secrets for Soleil.”
Scarlett shook her head fervently.
Lachlan put his hand up. “That was a joke. Are either of you spies?”
“No,” said Beni and Scarlett in unison.
“Then you’ll be fine. Through the veritas you go.” He walkedthrough the archway without another word.
Scarlett took several tentative steps forward. Under the archway, the colorful dust swirled around her, but she didn’t feel it on her skin. Beni followed after her, smiling slightly at the shimmering dust as he stepped through it. They hurried to catch up with Lachlan and the clerk, who were already halfway down the long hallway.
“There are mirrors to all the countries on the continent in these rooms,” said Lachlan as they followed behind the clerk. “These ones are used for law enforcement exclusively. Parliament has their own set downstairs for legislative business. This is common knowledge in Clair de Lune, by the way. Soleil has a similar setup, but I know they aren’t open about it. It’s probably best not to mention the mirror connecting Clair de Lune to Soleil once you’re back home.”
Scarlett huffed out a laugh. “I’m no stranger to keeping mirrors a secret. Thanks for explaining.”
The clerk knocked on an office door to announce their arrival. A man in a wrinkled black suit came out of the office.
“General Maddox.” The two men shook hands, and then he turned to Scarlett and Beni. “I’m Agent McClean.”
Lachlan briefed him on the situation, and Agent McClean waved them all inside. His office contained a desk facing the mirror to Soleil and a couple of chairs. In the mirror, there was a woman working at her own desk. She looked up from her computer as they entered, and her eyes widened as she took in Scarlett and Beni.
“That’s Agent Thorn in the mirror. You can go ahead and explain your situation to her,” said Agent McClean. He took a seat at his desk.
Scarlett approached the mirror, with Beni at her side. “I’m Lady Scarlett Heroux. This is my brother, Beni.”
“Of course, Lady Heroux. I know who you are,” said the agent.“And Beaufort, isn’t it?”
