Page 57 of Fool Me Twice

Eventually, Roma nods. “It does make sense,” she agrees haltingly. “So how do we stop it?”

“First, we need to check if the Deep reallyisresponsible,” Gregorio says. “That’s our first varsity-level spell, and it’s one that we already know. But after that…” He presses his lips together. “We’d have to do a second spell to reset the Deep‍—basically, to restabilize it so it stops activating the rift-opening spell ad nauseum. And we don’t currently know any spell that can accomplish that.”

“Butyoumight,” Naomi says, raising her eyebrows at Roma. “Or the Sanctum might, at least. They have advanced magic books in the main library, plus the restricted spellcasting library in the prison. You might be able to find what we need in there‍—or, at least, find the pieces to create our own spell.”

Ez’s stomach lurches. “Creating a spell from scratch isdangerous,Gutierrez. The probability of making a mistake and blowing yourself up is extraordinarily high.”

Sawyer’s smile is all teeth. “Well, then, it’s good that you and dear Roma work so well together, isn’t it? You can check each other’s work.”

Roma chokes out a disbelieving laugh. “So that’s it? You’re just forking this off on us?”

“We didn’t eveninviteyou, Roma,” Naomi snaps. “You invited yourself.”

Ez’s hackles rise. Considering how deeply this conspiracy affects Roma as a hunter, it’s actually insulting that they tried so hard to keep her away in the first place. “Technically, I invited her,” Ez says pointedly.

“Let me rephrase that,” Roma says, restrained fury behind every word. “You were going to takeJJ‍—who’s not the strongest spellcaster at baseline, and who’sliterallywanted as a fugitive‍—and make him break into the Sanctum for you?”

Ez stiffens, realization snapping through her. She wouldn’t have thought twice about Naomi and Sawyer’s plan if Roma hadn’t put those pieces together, wouldn’t have followed the original guest list for this ill-fated meeting to its logical conclusion, but‍?—

But Roma is right. Naomi and Sawyer didn’t know Roma was going to be here. That means JJ would’ve been the only person capable of finding what they needed inside the Sanctum.

They were going to pressure him into going back to the source of his worst nightmares‍—the source, apparently, of his family’s actual murders‍—without a thought for how that might affect him.

And Roma is angry about that. She’s indignant and protective andangrythat Naomi and Sawyer were going to risk JJ’s life for the cause.

It’s the same reaction that Ez has had every time she thought Roma herself could get too close to JJ again. She swallows hard past the unfamiliar swirl of solidarity‍—ofconnection‍—in her chest.

Maybe Roma isn’t as much of an enemy as Ez always thought she was. Maybe she cares about JJ‍—about herfriend‍—more than she cares about the Sanctum’s opinion of him.

Maybe she really did make a mistake when she double-crossed them all those months ago, and she’s trying her hardest to atone for it now.

Suddenly, the other implications of Roma’s deduction catch up to Ez. Her temper flares. “And then you were going to putbothof us at risk by having us create an unproven spell andhoping it worked?Micah and Gregorio were damn nearinsistent on pairing me with JJ, who weknowis a weaker spellcaster than Roma. You were just going to let us die if things went sideways?”

“You’re the best spellcaster on the East Coast, Ez!” Gregorio snaps. “And we would’ve helped you, obviously. You would’ve been fine. You would’ve‍?—‍”

“I’ve seen spellcasters die before.” Obie’s voice is smooth as silk. Dangerous. “Actually, I’ve seen dozens of spellcasters die while testing new spells. You were trying to coerce two of my good friends into a potentially fatal situation without any regard for their safety.” His smile is chilling. “But that didn’t matter as long as it didn’t affect you, right? You were going to let them be a sacrifice, just like you let JJ‍—and Roma, and their friends‍—be a sacrifice to the Sanctum when you left them behind.”

Sawyer steps forward, her eyes blazing. “Listen, Smith‍?—‍”

A vortex of power surges through the room. Ez jerks away on instinct, grabbing Roma’s arm to yank her backwards. Sawyer freezes, Naomi flinches away, Gregorio and Micah go utterly still‍?—

Obie smiles with all his teeth. “I think we’ll be leaving now,” he says. “I know the spell to check the Deep already‍—you forget that I’ve been alive for almost seven times longer than even Gregorio. If that test comes back positive, thenmaybewe’ll call you. Don’t get in touch before then.”

And Ez‍?—

Sometimes, Ez forgets just how terrifying‍—and ruthless‍—Obadiah Smith really is. Not for the first time, she’s glad that he’s on her side.

HersandRoma’s, apparently. Abruptly, Ez realizes that Roma’s fingers are wrapped tightly around Ez’s forearm as she stares at Obie with wide eyes, like she’s fully prepared to haul Ez away with her if Obie proves to be a threat to them.

Like Roma truly does think of herself and Ez as their own little team.

But Ez can unpack that later. Now, she gently tugs Roma forward. “Come on, lackey,” she says, and she snaps open a rift. “Let’s get out of here.”

And, as Ez and Roma silently step into the Courtyard with Obie following just behind them, Ez has the bad feeling that this isn’t going to be the last they see of Naomi Gutierrez and Sawyer Solomon.

It has to be a trick.

Roma collapses onto one of the benches between Cachapa Castle and Pad Thai Palace, her trembling legs finally giving way beneath her. This entire day, this entire month, this entireyear‍?—

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