“Um, well, actually, I called Owen for help, and that’s why he and Katie are here,” Earl said. “I don’t consider that interfering.”

“But you’re working for the wizards now,” Doris said to him.

“Only because my cover got blown.”

“Because you were helping the wizards.”

Things were getting out of control, and a second round of cookies wasn’t going to stop it. I reached over and grabbed Earl’s arm before he and his friend could escalate their argument, and then I hissed a “Ssshhhhh!” in the tiny moment of quiet that came before anyone else could jump in. When I had their attention, I whispered, “In case you’ve forgotten, the bad guys are right outside, and while these buildings look like sturdy brownstones, I have a feeling they’re a lot flimsier than that. This is a time for using our inside voices, and maybe not even that much. Unless you want to get caught plotting against them.”

They all glanced at the floor and looked properly ashamed of themselves. “Okay, then,” I continued. “Since you’ve been making such a ruckus, it’s probably best if we clear out of here right away. There’s plenty of blank space in this block—pretty much the whole second floor, all the way across. Scatter and wait. Look out where you step, though. The unfinished space is really unfinished. When the coast looks clear, leave by ones and twos through the same exit where you entered. We don’t want them to know we can move around like this. Then, to play it safe, stick to your normal routine tomorrow and don’t do anything even remotely unusual or suspicious. We’ll start on the plan the next day. Got it?”

There were silent, if slightly sullen, nods all around, and then the group dispersed, each faction heading off in a different direction. Owen and I went upstairs to an attic room he said he’d found when he arrived early for the meeting. It seemed to be used for storing props for this elaborate stage set, so it not only had an actual floor, it also had a small sofa wedged into a corner.

I settled onto one end of the sofa with a sigh. “There are worse places to wait things out.”

His grin was borderline wicked. “Yeah, and that’s where the others are.” He sat on the other end of the sofa and leaned his head back against the cushions.

I scooted over to lean on him. He put his arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. “That’s what they get for not scoping things out ahead of time,” I said.

“Preparation is key. So is information gathering.”

“Does that mean you approve of my first plan as a resistance leader?”

“You’re doing a great job.”

I lifted my head to look up at him. “You really think so? I mean, isn’t it kind of a joke that I’m a resistance leader? That was just the elves messing with Mac.”

“Actually, I think it was a wise choice. You are more or less neutral since you don’t have a particular axe to grind here. You just want to get home, and you don’t care whether that makes anyone look good or bad. Since that’s what I want, too, that’s the leader I want. And you’ve always come up with plans and solved problems. Now you’ve been elected to do it officially.”

I lay my head back again, resting it against his chest. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. But I will run things by you.”

He settled his arms around me. “Nope, don’t do that. Do what you think is best, and then we’ll all discuss it. I’m not going to be the power behind the throne.”

His tone was light, like he was joking, but when I turned to look at him, his face seemed serious. The light was bad, so his face was mostly in shadow, and I thought maybe that was what made him seem so serious, but I sensed a real tension in him. “Mac could really make it rough on you back home, huh?”

“If he gives a bad report, yeah. I should have kept my mouth shut earlier. Showing signs of a temper probably wasn’t the best idea.”

“A saint would be losing patience by now.”

“I’ve looked up what my parents did, and I don’t blame people for being nervous.”

I rested my hands on his where he had them clasped at my waist. “There is something to be said for nurture over nature. You’re exactly like James, even with no biology in common. I’d have to think that the lessons you learned growing up have a bigger role in shaping the kind of person you are than a quirk or two of genetics. If anything, the Council’s practically driving you to get frustrated and lose your temper by treating you this way.”

“That may be their plan. My plan is to wait them out.”