Verilan reached into the hoop and pulled out a leopard-print vest. After putting it on, he passed the hoop over Madeline, and she disappeared. Waving good-bye, he raised the hoop over his head like an oversized halo and dropped it. As the hoop fell, Verilan vanished.
The cages exploded into flocks of origami birds. As the paper swans, sparrows, owls, and eagles soared overhead, they burst into colorful flames and disappeared. A rotund announcer came onto the stage, thanked everyone for coming, and asked for the crowd to exit in an orderly fashion.
“That was awesome,” Cole said to Twitch.
“Best I’ve ever seen,” Twitch gushed. “That guy can do anything.”
“He’s good,” Mira agreed. “There are limits to how many illusions one person can generate, and how elaborate they can be. Verilan has serious talent.”
“I agree,” Jace said.
“You liked it?” Cole asked, surprised.
Jace shrugged. “I pictured card tricks and dancing lights. Simpler stuff. It was better than I expected.”
“What now?” Mira asked, turning to Joe.
“We wait,” Joe said. “Keep talking to one another. We want to look like we’re casually lingering. Let everyone clear out.”
Cole and Twitch discussed their favorite parts of the show. Cole had seldom seen Twitch so enthusiastic and let him do most of the talking.
Before long the room had emptied except for Cole and his friends. The rotund announcer approached them. “Show’s over, folks.”
Joe stood up. “I have an appointment with Verilan.”
“Do you now?” the announcer said, looking him up and down. “We use passwords for such things.”
“Seeming is believing,” Joe replied.
The announcer unclasped a bracelet from his wrist, and suddenly he was Verilan. “Now you’re speaking my language,” Verilan said with a toothy smile. “And who are these young people?”
“This is your biggest fan,” Jace said, indicating Twitch.
Twitch wilted under the attention. “I really liked the show,” he said softly, avoiding eye contact.
“I aim to please,” Verilan said warmly. “We should go backstage.”
Twitch shot Cole an excited glance.
They followed Verilan to the front of the performance hall, onto the stage, and back into one of the wings. Catwalks crisscrossed above them. Cole passed bulky props, tall black curtains, and numerous ropes that stretched up toward the high ceiling.
Verilan led them to a plain door. Behind it they found an untidy dressing room lit by white globes. Madeline awaited them in her form-fitting stage outfit. They all entered, and Verilan closed the door.
“Are these your after-hours clients?” Madeline asked.
“Yes,” Verilan said. “I understand you want two permanent disguises?”
Joe glanced uncertainly at Madeline.
“Relax,” Verilan said. “We’re a team.”
“For two of the kids,” Joe explained, indicating Cole and Mira. “We need seemings that can withstand scrutiny from skilled enchanters.”
Verilan gave a chuckle. “No seeming is flawless, friend. But mine rival the best.”
“That’s why we came to you,” Joe said.
“My services don’t come cheap,” Verilan said. “Two platinum each.”
“Two each?” Joe exclaimed. “My contact said it would be a lot, but that’s outrageous.”
Verilan grinned. “Nobody made you come to me. If you care to hunt for a better value elsewhere, be my guest.”
“I can pay.” Joe sighed. “Go ahead.”
“Why throw away so many ringers on a couple of kids?” Madeline asked.
“Our business is our own,” Joe said.
“Not if you involve me,” Verilan said. “If my cover gets blown, I become a wanted man. I need to know who I’m working with and why. Are the kids going to be used as spies? Are they fugitives? If they get into trouble, could it get traced back to me? What’s the story?”
The blatant curiosity made Cole uncomfortable. He shared a look with Mira and Joe.
“Knowing the whole story will greatly increase your level of risk,” Joe said. “I’m a member of the Unseen. Can’t we leave it at that?”
“Afraid not,” Madeline said. “We’ve heard the Enforcers are looking for four kids travelling with a grown-up. But we have no details.”
“They’re looking for us,” Joe said. “The kids are wanted. Isn’t that enough?”
“Not if we’re doing business together,” Verilan said. “We prefer the risks of knowledge to the risks of ignorance.”
Joe turned to Mira.
She stepped forward. “I’m Miracle Pemberton, daughter of Stafford, High Shaper of the five kingdoms. I’m the same age I was when my father stole my shaping abilities, faked my death, and tried to lock me away. I’ve lived in hiding for years. We’re on the run.”
Madeline glanced at Verilan. “Could this be true?” She squinted at Mira. “You have the aura of a powerful shaper.”
“I recently got my abilities back,” Mira said. “They’re more useful in Sambria.”
“What about your sisters?” Madeline asked.
“I don’t know,” Mira said. “We’re been hiding separately for years. I’m here because Honor is in trouble. We think she may have been captured.”
Madeline shook her head in astonishment. “Can you verify your identity?”
“Most of the people who knew me are now old or dead,” Mira said. “I still have my royal seal. Each of the daughters had one. My mother smuggled them to us before we were sent into exile.”
Mira produced an engraved golden disk fastened to a chain and embellished with tiny diamonds. It was the first Cole had heard of it.
Madeline accepted the seal, waved a hand over it, then peered at it closely. She handed it to Verilan, who took a long look as well.
Verilan sank to one knee, head bowed. Madeline followed his lead. “Your Highness,” he said gravely. “We had not dared to hope that you survived.”
“It’s the High Shaper’s most closely guarded secret,” Joe said. “You may have shortened your lives by learning it.”
“You tried to warn us,” Madeline said thoughtfully.
“Please, rise,” Mira offered.
Verilan and Madeline stood.
“Who are you?” Verilan asked Cole.