Free Of Sorcery and Snow by Shelby Bach Page B

crack what was smooth, open what was shut.
    A secret passageway. It didn’t surprise me. Chase knew about most of them.
    We ducked through three hidden doors, turned a corner, and came to a bright corridor with mason-jar chandeliers, a honey-colored wood floor, and three packs leaning against a wall of exposed brick. The other side had a carving too—of Evan Garrison, I think, talking to a fleet of foxes.
    â€œThis is the door to Portland. Lena and I already tweaked the spell to let the four of us through,” Chase said.
    â€œFor a quick getaway?” I said, slinging my pack off.
    â€œIf necessary.” Chase turned toward a door so intensely green that it was just one shade away from neon. “But you know Lena—she’s definitely hoping it won’t be necessary.” He twisted the old brass handle and pushed open the door. The Tree of Hope stood dead ahead, one of its twisting branches touching down right in front of us, blocking us from view. That would be helpful when we made our escape.
    Dozens of people had surrounded the Table of Never Ending Instant Refills. Today it was covered with a punch fountain, cucumber sandwiches, and tiny little cakes. But the courtyard wasn’t nearly as crowded as it normally was. The only people in my grade I saw were the stepsisters. Tina was scrubbing at a punch stain on Vicky’s sleeve with a wet napkin, and they stared at me blankly when I waved at them.
    We started across the grass toward the ballroom, and before we’d gone two steps, a quiet musical voice called, “Rory.”
    Chase jumped about a mile.
    Rapunzel stood behind us. She wore the dove-gray dress she saved for special occasions. Even her long silver braid was fancier than usual: she’d woven red ribbons and ruby-encrusted jewelry into it.
    I smiled. If she was here, it was to help us. This was the right thing to do.
    â€œIt’s creepy, the way you always know where we are.” Chase folded his arms. His suit sleeves were a little too short. “I hope the Director didn’t see you waiting out here. She’s more suspicious of you than us three.”
    That was true, but it wasn’t Rapunzel’s fault. She couldn’t help being the Snow Queen’s sister.
    â€œThe Director is at the ball,” I reminded Chase. “We’re safe for a few minutes.”
    Stepping closer to me, Rapunzel pulled something from her pocket: the top part looked like a silver tree, with tiny emeralds set into it like leaves, and the bottom had a bunch of short metal sticks. It was a comb. She slid it into place right behind my ear.
    Chase gave a little golf clap. “Very pretty. Can we please go now? Lena’s waiting on us.”
    Rapunzel ignored Chase and bent toward me. I waited for her to tell me everything I needed to know to survive the quest, but all she whispered was, “Do not get caught.”
    Then she stepped aside. We were obviously dismissed. Chase wasted no time scooting me forward.
    I glanced back, half expecting Rapunzel to rush up and tell us a few impossible-to-understand prophecies, but she had disappeared. “Doesn’t she usually tell us more than that?”
    He made a face. “Oh, she cornered me and Lena earlier. You know what she told me? ‘Be patient with her. She’ll need moretime than you.’” He glanced at me sidelong, already exasperated. “That means either you or Lena or Miriam’s going to be slow. My money’s on you. I’ve seen Lena and Miriam run.”
    â€œThanks.” I rolled my eyes, but I was trying hard not to be jealous. I was the one Rapunzel usually singled out, not my friends. “What’d she tell Lena?”
    â€œSomething about inventing. She’ll probably need a translation later,” Chase said as we skirted around the Table. The doors to the ballroom were straight ahead. The sounds of violins and harps leaked through the carved wood.