or was Writhe blood enough for you?”
“Very funny.” I scooted up against the pillows into a sitting position.
She placed the tray on my lap. “Can you believe we made it through that?”
I picked up a piece of bacon and bit down on it. “It’s unbelievable. Have you heard anything about Arik?”
“Yes, that he’s recovering fast.” Her face was a question mark and her hands wrung a napkin nervously.
“Okay, what gives?”
“I know I shouldn’t feel this way—well, don’t think I’m going all Jerry Springer and shit, but—” Her face pinched as she gathered the nerve to finish.
“But what?”
Her face flushed. “I’m in love with…”
“Nick?”
“What am I going to do? He’s with the other you.”
“The right thing to do is to wait it out. They probably won’t last.”
“I know. It sucks.”
I snorted. “It’ll work out.” I sounded like Pop.
Her face softened and she placed the crumpled napkin on the tray. “After you eat, get dressed. We’re leaving for Asile.”
“Great! I can’t wait to see Nana.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Carrig took me home to get a few things and I picked this up for you.” She opened her tote, pulled out my mother’s faded red umbrella, and placed it beside me.
“Thank you. I thought it was gone forever.” I picked it up, thinking of my mother, picturing her holding it over her head, the loose handle rocking back and forth and rain waterfalling over the sides.
“Someone at the Athenæum called your dad and said it was left behind. Your dad called and asked me to get it for you the next time I was there. I know how special it is to you, so I got it right away.”
“Thanks so much. You know, it makes a great weapon.” I swung it over my head. The top came off and its body went flying, barely missing Afton.
“Watch it!” she yelled. “You could poke an eye out.” Her eyes narrowed on the handle, which was still in my hand. “What’s that?” She pointed at a shiny chain hanging from it.
I tugged the gold chain free from the handle’s cavity, and a bedazzled cross slipped out.
I clamped my hand over my mouth and gasped. “I think it’s the missing Chiave. My mother had it all this time. Gian must’ve hidden it in the handle before he died. This was probably his umbrella.”
“You eat and I’ll get Carrig.” Afton hurried to the door.
I laced the chain between my fingers. A pain hit my chest and my brand started bleeding. I rubbed the blood onto my palm and spoke the charm. Nothing happened. The truth globe was definitely gone forever. I needed a globe, and I knew where to find one. After getting out of bed, I slipped on my robe as I headed for the door.
I found the Monitor for the shelter perched on a globe in the map room.
“Arrrk! What is it?” the colorful parrot asked when I entered. He had vacant eyes, like Pip.
“I found a Chiave.” I held it up to him. “I’d like to use my blood and your globe to see what the spirit seer wants. Do you mind?”
“Arrrk! Be my guest.”
I smeared my blood across the glass. The Monitor stepped to the other side of the perch. A tiny silver twig sprouted from the blood and grew into a branch until it was a miniature tree. From the hollow of the tree, a small silver squirrel emerged. It stood on its hind legs and continued changing until an extremely buff silvery man stood on the sphere before me. To my relief, he wore a loincloth.
“That’s a little much,” I mumbled to myself.
“Greetings, Gianna, me name is Declan. I do like to make a show of meself. I be the Keeper of the Chiave you hold.” Declan had an Irish accent. “Not only is it one of the keys to release the Tetrad, but it also be having an individual power. The wearer can see things that have come before within the location he or she be in. May you survive the trials that be ahead. The trinkets you find will protect the chosen one while venturing to the monster’s prison.” He bowed, and both he and the tree shrank back into the blood that had dried on the globe.
“Arrrk!” the bird screeched, moving his head from side to side.
“Thank you.” I slipped the cross into the pocket of my robe.
When we returned to Asile, a crowd greeted us in the corridor. Nana held me so tight I thought she’d break my