“Fifteen minutes?” Sophie repeated. “How can you hold your breath that long?”
“It’s a mind over matter skill,” Mr. Forkle explained. “One very few take the time to learn.”
“My dad said the stuffy nobles underestimate it,” Dex said. “He made us practice all the time.”
“Your father is wise,” Mr. Forkle told him. “Nevertheless, you will not have to hold your breath today. I brought lufterators.”
He passed them each a T-shaped gadget and showed how they put the longer end in their mouths and let the other piece cover their lips and nose. It felt like sucking air through a teeny straw, and it made Sophie dizzy. But after a few tries, her lungs fell into a slower rhythm.
“Do you have any more lufterators?” Biana asked.
“One is all you’ll need,” Mr. Forkle assured her.
“I’d still feel better if I had a spare,” Biana insisted.
“I can check yours to make sure it’s working, if you want,” Dex offered.
“No!” Biana said, a bit too quickly. “I’ll just . . . wait here and you guys can send someone back for me with another.”
“Don’t be absurd, Miss Vacker,” Mr. Forkle said. “We’re all leaving now.”
Biana shot Sophie a desperate Help me! look, but Sophie didn’t understand the problem.
Keefe grabbed Biana’s wrist. “It feels like you’re hiding something . . .”
“I agree,” Mr. Forkle said. “So let’s see what it is, shall we?”
“You don’t have permission to read my thoughts!” Biana shouted.
“I do not need it if you’re endangering us.” Mr. Forkle closed his eyes and Sophie knew there was nothing Biana could do to stop him. Even she couldn’t block him—and he’d designed her mind to be impenetrable.
Biana turned to her brother. “Please, don’t let him do this.”
“It’s already done.” Mr. Forkle said, staring at the empty space behind her. “It appears we have a stowaway.”
SIX
HOW CAN WE have a stowaway?” Fitz asked as Mr. Forkle shouted, “Show yourself!”
Nothing happened for a moment. Then Della appeared behind Biana.
“Mom?” Fitz said, rushing to tackle-hug her before he shouted at his sister. “HOW COULD YOU KEEP THIS SECRET?”
“I made her swear not to say anything,” Della explained. “And I only involved her because I needed to hold on to someone while we were teleporting.”
“Why the subterfuge?” Mr. Forkle asked. “Please tell me you don’t doubt our ability to protect your children?”
“Quite the opposite.” Della straightened her gown, looking like an ocean goddess in aquamarine silk. “I’m here to join the Black Swan.”
The words seemed to dangle, waiting for someone to reach out and grab them.
“Does Dad know?” Fitz asked.
“Of course. He wanted to join, but we decided he’d be more useful if he stayed working with the Council. And my talents are far better suited for covert activities.”
“Ms. Vacker—” Mr. Forkle started.
“Della,” she corrected.
“Your offer is very generous, Ms. Della,” Mr. Forkle emphasized with a slight smile. “But we already have a Vanisher working with us.”
“No one can vanish the way I can. Not even my son—and I’m sure you’ve heard how valuable Alvar has been to the Council.”
She blinked out of sight, reappearing a second later knee-deep in the river. Sophie wasn’t sure what was crazier, how fast Della had moved, or how she hadn’t caused ripples in the water.
“Impressive,” Mr. Forkle admitted when Della reappeared next to Biana and showed how her gown was still dry. “But the question is whether letting you join would be wise. Someone as high profile as yourself—”
“Could be an influential advocate,” Della finished for him. “When the Council finally comes to their senses, do you think the public will instantly trust you? The Vacker name may have had a few controversies lately, but it still holds incredible influence and power.”
Mr. Forkle studied Della. “I see you’ve already removed your registry pendant.”
“I would never put any of you at risk. Plus, I wanted to prove that I’m committed.”
“And yet you make the commitment too lightly.”
“Do I?” Della’s melodic voice hardened. “I’ve trusted my children—and three others who might as well be my family—to your care.”
“Your children’s situation is different,” Mr. Forkle argued. “We both know we can’t leave them to the Council’s caprice.”
“But I could protect them on my own.” Della vanished again, reappearing with a melder pressed to Mr. Forkle’s head. “Do not underestimate me, sir.”
“You’re not the only one with tricks up their sleeve,” Mr. Forkle warned her. He tapped his right temple, and Della’s arm dropped to her side.
“Are you a Mesmer?” Sophie asked, remembering Grady’s similar feats.
“My tricks are more limited,” Mr. Forkle admitted. “But the mind is more powerful than the body—never forget that.”