Chapter 137

ALEK EXCUSED HIMSELF, AND LEFT Cat in his father's study, reading. Our father, he reminded himself; what a strange idea. The first stop was the kitchen. Hiranes listened as Alek explained, a delighted smile spreading on his aged face. 'Yes, yes, I can do that.'

Alek grinned, 'Excellent. But don't forgetsecret.'

Hiranes nodded then turned and clapped his hands, calling for the kitchen staff. Alek left to find Vesbel, the castle's event organizer.

Vesbel was in her room at the other end of the ground floor, next to Ada's quarters. When Alek opened the door, he discovered her four jybois in the midst of joyfully dismantling an object.

'Would you get them out of here?' called Vesbel as she wrestled with something. 'I need that in one piece.'

A sharp whistle made their heads snap up and eight sets of large, round, black eyes stared at him. Grabbing an ornament off a shelf, he tossed it out the door. The ornament sparkled in the light while it rolled through the doorway. The four jybois