Thank you, she said, banding her arms tighter around him.
What for?
For being willing to rescue my guardian.
Now we no longer know where he is.
Well find out, she said, her voice scratchy with fatigue. She ruffled his hair. And youyou are all right with having killed the Inquisitor?
I would rather someone else had taken her life. But I will not miss her.
They dismounted on the meadow before Sleeping Beautys castle. She shed the wig and the gown she had borrowed and turned once again into a lithe, cocky boy.
He drew her to him and rested his cheek against her hair. Is it true that if it happens in the Crucible, it doesnt count?
She held him tight. My rescue, my rules.
He kissed the shell of her ear. Then let me tell you this: I live for you, and you alone.
CHAPTER 
25
When Fairfax and Titus arrived on the scene, he shook their hands and then left with Fairfax to join the other boys. Titus did the same after rendering Trumper and Hogg unconscious again and dropping them on the front steps of their house, stripped to their drawers.
All the boys stood together and admired his handiwork. Now that their nights taskand funwas done, they started back for their own beds, yawning. At Mrs. Dawlishs, the front door was open, the downstairs lights on, and Mrs. Dawlish and Mrs. Hancock both waiting. Mrs. Dawlish wearily waved them up. Go to bed now. Well deal with the lot of you tomorrow.
Except you, Your Highness,
said Mrs. Hancock. Would you mind coming with me to my office?
Fairfax stepped in front of him. We all went. The prince shouldnt be singled out.
Titus briefly rested his hand on her shoulder. Go. I will be fine.
In Mrs. Hancocks office, it was Baslans spectral projection again, pacing into shelves and walls.
You may leave us, Baslan said to Mrs. Hancock.
I would like to remind you, sir, that I am a special envoy of the Department of Overseas Administration, not your subordinate, Mrs. Hancock said, smiling.
Baslan gave Mrs. Hancock a cold stare.
Titus plunked himself down on Mrs. Hancocks best chair. He enjoyed squabbles between agents of Atlantis. What do you want this time, Baslan?
You will address me as Inquisitor, Your Highness.
Inquisitor. So Tituss nemesis was truly dead. He gave his stomach a moment to settle. Inquisitor, Baslan? Is everybody at the Inquisitory called the Inquisitor these days?
Baslan flinched at Tituss suggestion. Madam Inquisitor can no longer carry out her duties. She has departed this earth.
Titus found that he did not need to pretend to be shocked. He was shocked, still. It cannot be true. I last saw her only hours ago. Right here at Eton. She showed no signs of imminent death.
To our lasting regret, it is quite true.
How did it happen?
That is strictly private. I need Your Highness to give an account of your whereabouts tonight.
And that is not strictly private?
No, said Baslan without any sense of irony.
Titus crossed his arms before his chest. After your lot finally let me go in the evening, I retreated to my room to enjoy a little peace and quiet. I was there until lights-out. Not long after lights-out, two boys threw a rock into my window. I chased them down, gave them what-for, and dragged them to the front door of their house.
Are there corroborating eyewitnesses?
The question was for Mrs. Hancock. The prince was in his room at lights-outI knocked myself. Both the prince and his neighbors windows were broken. As for the rest, I will go check right now.
And you will confiscate all the princes books, ordered Baslan.
Mrs. Hancock rolled her eyes but did not remind him again about their separate jurisdictions.
Titus exhaled. A very good thing that Fairfax had his mothers diary. And that he had stowed his copy of the Crucible, disguised as a volume of devotional poetry in medieval French, at the school library, until he could move it to the laboratory.
Baslan held up the Citadels copy of the Crucible. What do you know about this book?
Oh, that. I play Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood. She likes it rough, did you know? I did not.
I beg your pardon?
What else are you going to do with such a contraption? Of course Sleeping Beauty is probably prettier, but I am not going to fight dragons for any girl. And the chit who lives in the woods is agreeable enough, but those dwarfs in her cottage are perverts. They always want to watch.
Baslans face turned splotchy. Did you use such a book as a portal to get into the Citadel tonight and make away with Horatio Haywood?
Titus laughed. Listen to yourself, Baslan. Are you mad?
Baslans throat worked. As you are no doubt aware, Atlantis is seeking a young woman who can summon lightning. We encountered her tonight.
Why did you not take her into custody?
She was in this book. We want to know where she is now.
Still in there, obviously. Have you never heard of Helgira?
Who?
Titus rolled his eyes. Helgira the Merciless, one of the most famous mythological, folkloric characters known to magekind. Oh, I forgot, Atlanteans dont know anything.