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shook.
    Florence watched the two, fascinated. They rarely fought.
    Alex stared at the cat. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you leaving Artimé?”
    â€œWhat?” Simber said. “No! Of courrrse not. But I can’t keep telling you what to do. If you want my opinion, ask me. Otherrrwise don’t expect it.”
    Alex raised his hands, completely confused. “I don’t even understand what’s happening right now,” he muttered. “I just transported an entire party of Artiméans off Shipwreck Island—safely, mind you—virtually without you. What’s your problem? Did I do something to offend you? If this is about Sky and me being stuck there, and the Florence thing with not enough magic carpet components, we would have figured it out without you, I’ll have you know.”
    â€œI should hope so.” Simber’s chiseled jaw creaked as his stone teeth snapped together. He stared at Alex, nostrils flaring.
    Alex stood tall and stared back, growing more defensive and angry as the seconds passed. He had no idea what had set Simber on edge. And he wasn’t going to back down without an explanation.
    Florence leaned forward on her sofa, propped her elbowson her knees, and rested her chin in her hands, fascinated by the sudden flare-up and standoff.
    After a minute, Simber relaxed his stance and turned his head. “Sorrry,” he said gruffly. “I’m worrried about Gondoleerrry.” He turned and paced toward the door, restlessly shaking his head. “Herrr ability to crrreate firrre is morrre dangerrrous than anything we’ve everrr been up against. Ice is bad enough, but firrre . . .”
    Alex rested his gaze on the beast, trying to figure out if Simber was speaking the truth about what was bothering him. He couldn’t tell. “We’ll be careful,” he said softly. “How hard can it be to take down one person when we have all of Artimé on our side?”
    Simber stopped in his tracks and turned his head back to look at Alex. “That’s exactly the wrrrong way to look at herrr. If therrre’s anyone you should be afrrraid of in this worrrld, it’s Gondoleerrry Rrrattrrrap.” He paused, giving Alex a hard look. “And you should feel it in yourrr bones, Alex. Like I do. I shouldn’t have to tell you.” He paused. “ That’s what my prrroblem is.”
    Alex watched, jaw slacked, as Simber walked out of his office. “You don’t even have bones!” Alex called out. Simber didn’t answer.When he had disappeared, Alex turned to Florence with a questioning look. “Didn’t I just say I wanted her dead? I don’t get it.”
    She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t ask me,” she said. “I think there’s something deeper bothering him, but I don’t know what.”
    â€œI can still hearrr you,” came a gravelly warning from the balcony.
    Alex sighed and shook his head. “Good night, Simber,” he called. “We’ll plan the attack in the morning.”
    â€œHarrrumph,” said Simber, and soon the mansion trembled as the giant cat loped down the stairs to his spot at the front door.

The Evil Twin
    T he next time Aaron awoke, he was drenched in sweat and shivering profusely. He lay on his side, facing a rocky wall with no window, his blanket flung off him and just beyond his reach.
    Every muscle in his body ached, and every bit of his skin hurt. His head pounded endlessly, and when he reached up to touch it, he found that it was wrapped in a bandage of some sort.
    When he became aware that he was in a very strange and unfamiliar place, his stomach clenched in fear. The pirates, he thought. Had they brought him here? What were they going to do to him?
    This time his memories were more distinct. He recalled the way the pirates had burst into his office and captured him. The way they’d thrown him