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world. That is what you said!” I hear the hysteria rising in my voice.
    She nods slowly. “But the Grigori only have dominion over the Otherworlds. The punishments meted out can only limit one’s
     privileges there, and the Grigori have already banished Alice. I know it’s difficult to fathom, Lia, but she is very careful
     and very powerful. She travels the Otherworlds without detection by the Grigori much as you travel while avoiding the Souls.”
     Aunt Virginia shrugs. “Her disobedience is unprecedented. There is little else the Grigori can do to one who occupies this
     world. Otherwise, even they would be crossing boundaries that should not be crossed.”
    I shake my head in confusion. “If the Grigori have banished Alice from the Otherworlds, she should already be in check!” Frustration
     causes me to practically spit the words from my mouth.
    “Unless… ,” Sonia begins.
    “Unless what?” Panic fizzes in my stomach, threatening to make me ill.
    “Unless she simply doesn’t care.” Luisa finally speaks from the sofa next to Aunt Virginia. “And she doesn’t, Lia. She doesn’t
     care what the Grigori do or say. She doesn’t care about their rules and punishments, and she doesn’t need their permission.
     She doesn’t need their sanction to do anything at all. She has grown far too powerful for that.”
    We fall silent for a time, sipping our tea as each of us contemplates a powerful and unrestrained Alice. It is Aunt Virginia
     who breaks the silence, though not with talk of Alice.
    “There is another reason we’ve come, Lia, though those I’ve given are certainly enough.”
    “What do you mean? What is it?” I cannot imagine anything else that would drive Aunt Virginia across the sea at a moment’s
     notice.
    Aunt Virginia sighs, setting her teacup back on its dainty saucer. “It is your aunt Abigail. She’s very sick and asks that
     you come to Altus immediately.”
    “I had planned to go soon anyway. I had a… feeling.” I continue without explanation. “But I didn’t realize Aunt Abigail was
     ill. Will she be all right?”
    Aunt Virginia’s eyes are sad. “I don’t know, Lia. She’s very old. She has ruled Altus for many years. It may simply be her
     time. In any case, it is time you go, especially given the developments with Alice. Aunt Abigail is the keeper of the pages.
     Only she knows where they are hidden. If she passes without telling you where to find them…”
    She does not have to finish.
    “I understand. But how will I find my way?”
    “Edmund will be your guide,” Aunt Virginia says. “You will leave within the next few days.”
    “A few days!” Sonia’s voice is incredulous. “How will we prepare for such a journey with so little time?”
    Surprise touches Aunt Virginia’s face. “Oh! I… Lady Abigail only requested Lia’s presence.”
    Sonia holds out her wrist so that Aunt Virginia can see the medallion. “I am entrusted with the medallion. I have been Lia’s
     closest confidant for the past eight months. With all due respect, I will not just sit here while Lia faces the danger on
     her own. She needs every ally, and there is none more loyal than I.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t go that far!” Luisa is indignant. “I may have been in New York while you have been here, but I am as much
     a part of the prophecy as you, Sonia.”
    I look at Aunt Virginia with a shrug. “They are two of the four keys. If we cannot trust them with the location of Altus,
     whom can we trust? Besides, I should like the company. Surely Aunt Abigail would not deny me that.”
    Aunt Virginia sighs, looking from me to Sonia to Luisa and back again. “Very well. I have the distinct feeling it would be
     useless to argue the point.” She rubs her brow, tiredness seeping into her eyes. “Besides, I must confess the long journey
     has taken its toll. Let us sit by the comfort of the fire and speak of something more mundane, shall we?”
    I nod, and Luisa deftly changes the