“There. I marked the squares that felt wrong. You know when I started dashing to and fro, quite overcome by the art? I had to check them all.” Jubilee shoved the paper toward Saeldian and paused, horrified at Saeldian’s altered visage, before whirling to look at herself in the mirror. “You didn’t.”
“We’ll apologize later. If they find out.”
“I look like Saer Madenhal. Andyou—Aunt Teve will kill you.”
“Aunt Teve doesn’t need to know,” Saeldian said. “Hold on, let me add to this map.”
Saeldian ringed the floor with little symbols, connecting them with arrows. Jubilee leaned over and made a dismayed noise.
“How many divination spells did they put on this room? What are those abjuration spells? Alarms?”
“Probably.”
“And all these marks for transmutation spells…oh Hells. It’s a Conundrum Chamber?”
“Yes.”
Jubilee’s face went chalky. “Fuck! Nobody’s ever beaten one of those.”
“They’re complicated, but—”
“Complicated? They’re impossible! We have to get out of here—”
Jubilee swayed, and her disguised face went slack with confusion.
Hells. Saeldian grabbed her hand, and the firm, youthful feel of her skin was a dead giveaway. Saeldian could alter themself at will, but Jubilee only looked like an older human woman. “Jubilee, listen carefully. We are not getting out of here. We wouldn’t dream of going back on the oath binding us. Say it.”
“We can’t—ow.”
“We can. Say it.”
“Wur noh genn owh uh here.” Jubilee’s words came out slack. The vowstone was clearly sensing her doubt—and punishing her for it. “Noh…goin ba—hurts.”
“I know. I know you’re scared. Listen to me. Somebody beat a Conundrum Chamber once. Do you believe me?”
“Who…”
“Nod if you believe me. I beat a Conundrum Chamber. With Kell.”
Jubilee tried to speak, but only surprise spilled out. She nodded.
Saeldian held her up and kept talking. “That’s why Briona wanted us. That’s why she forced us with the vowstones. Do you understand?”
A little more steadily, Jubilee nodded.
“She wanted me and Kell because we stole Hullhollyn’s Storm Harp ten years ago.”
Even with all her strength focused on soothing her fey oath back into quietude, Jubilee looked shocked. But even as she closed her eyes against the pain and confusion, her nod was strong and sure.
Saeldian heaved a sigh of relief and hugged Jubilee tight. “We can do it. You and me and Kell? We’re the burglary team no one even dreamed of. We can beat this. Do you believe me?”
“Yes.” Jubilee squished Saeldian right back. “We’re not going back on the deal—oh shit, that hurts!”
Jubilee swayed, and Saeldian staggered getting her onto the settee. A stack of clay cups waited by the basin. Saeldian pumped the lever until water flowed out and set the cup to her partner’s lips.
“Drink slowly.”
Jubilee took the cup and drained it. “How did you know what was happening to me?”
