Right now it still smelled like dinnerbutter and spices and meat cooking.
I wiped a bead of sweat that trickled down my neck and climbed over the carved marble balcony.
I had mostly gotten rid of my fear of heightsmaybe too many other fears had crowded it out.
Still, I held my breath as I inched toward a trellis that ran down into the courtyard.
Jack had scouted earlier and told me this was the best way to get out of my room.
I was so keyed up I almost screamed when I felt a hand on my elbow.
I wondered briefly when Id come to recognize Jack from just this tiny noise.
Jack pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt to hide his face.
Western faces attracted attention here, and attention was something we didnt need.
I had a light scarf over my head for that same reason.
Did you have any trouble getting out?
I shook my head and glanced behind me.
I didnt think Id been followed by anyone from the palace, but I couldnt be sure.
Plus, I had to assume the Order knew I was in India.
I still didnt think theyd come after me, but my fathers paranoiaand Jackswere rubbing off.
There were just so many people.
People lounging in doorways of closed shops, watching us walk by.
Id had time to change back into my brown contacts, but not to wash off the heavy kohl.
Jack pushed his hood back.
We were pressed close in the tiny rickshaw.
Did Lydia do your makeup?
I told him about getting ready.
I think Lydia rather likes having a sister.
You dont think theyre suspicious, do you?
I said, a stab of guilt in my gut again.
Jack shook his head.
Youre playing your part perfectly.
As long as we dont get caught out here, we should be fine.
Streetlights showed that there were almost as many colors on these streets as there were people.
A salmon doorway in a turquoise wall.
Blue buses with a yellow stripe, matching the yellow taxis.
The drivers behind them took the request to heart.
I feel like Im hallucinating, I whispered.
This country can do that.
We were already late and the traffic was bad, so Jack asked the driver to stop.
Just like at the palace, the air here had a scent, but this one wasnt so nice.
Behind them, toddlers climbed on a pile of abandoned cardboard boxes.
One little boy looked up at us, and I did a double take.
Is that baby wearing makeup?
He couldnt have been more than two, and he had kohl liner thicker than mine rimming his eyes.
Its common here, Jack said.
I took a deep breath.
Where are we meeting Stellan?
Jack pointed across the square, and I saw him immediately.
Unlike us, Stellan was making no effort to disguise himself.
If pale skin drew looks here, blond hair caused downright gawking.
Sure enough, a crowd had gathered a few yards from Stellan, but he appeared unconcerned.
When he saw us, he stashed the phone in a pocket.
You didnt leave me to fend for myself after all.
Couldnt you have put on a hat?
The men were now staring at all three of us, whispering to one another.
Stellan smirked and waved to the crowd.
You mean Im not allowed to enjoy the hundred percent humidity in my own clothes?
I grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the circle of admirers and toward the street.
No, some of us have to invent excuses to follow you two around the world.
Not what youd expect to see between Circle family and staff.
Youll figure something out, I said.
We made our way across the street to the Indian Museum.
It was dark and quiet, with a few stray dogs sleeping on its front stoop.
So you think the other bracelet could be here?
Stellan said, looking up at the looming facade.
I glanced down at Napoleons bracelet on my wrist.
My twin and I will reveal all, only to the true.
Its twin was somewhere, as was the password that unlocked it.
This museum was built in 1814, I said.
The right time for Napoleon to slip something into their collection.
Plus, its in a Circle city, and it looks like there are Alexander artifacts in this collection.
Stellan lit a cigarette.
Have either of you been to this museum?
Jack shook his head, and obviously I hadnt.
I have been here.
This collection is curated, but its a very haphazard job.
I frowned at him.
Besides, its not like you have a better idea, I muttered under my breath.
Stellan took a drag of his cigarette.
You know very well I do have a better idea…
I wanted to elbow Stellan.
As usual, were not talking about that, I said instead.
I didnt care if he was the One.
It wasnt an option.
He just refused to accept it.
Is there an unlocked door?
The group of Indian men had followed us across the street and were edging closer.
Stellan grinned at them.
I raised my eyebrows.
Hes letting us in, Stellan said simply.
I thought you said you had a plan to get us access, Jack said witheringly.
This is the plan.
We followed Stellan through a propped-open iron gate into a wide courtyard.
Everyone here has a cousin or a brother-in-law or a barber who can make things happen.
I shook my head and looked around.
The inner courtyard was impressive, with double rows of arches surrounding an immaculately manicured lawn and hedges.
Yeah, this place looks like a complete mess, I said sarcastically.
After you, he said.
The guy let us in, and Stellan asked him something.
That was sudden, Stellan said.
We emerged into an impressive gallery formed by arched wooden beams that loomed high overhead.
Down the middle of the gallery marchedElephant skeletons?
They were bathed in moonlight from the windows above, and it wasnt just elephants.
Deer, giraffes, and smaller animals whose bones I couldnt identify, all in a macabre parade.
I dont think this is the gallery were looking for, I whispered.
Just then, a door slammed shut at the opposite end of the gallery.
Unfortunately, Jack and I had nothing to hide behind but the elephants themselves.
A flashlight beam swept toward us.
The guard was looking this way.
I froze just behind the elephants rear leg.
The flashlight beam hovered for a moment.
Then the sound of footsteps receded.
I let out a breath as Jack jumped up, and we tiptoed across the room.
Stellan was already heading down a connecting hall, gesturing for us to follow.
Apparently there are night guards on patrol, he whispered.
Thanks, I said sarcastically.
This was less funand took forever, especially since each of us only had one little flashlight.
Even so, it felt amazing to finally be doing something after weeks of feeling powerless.
As far as I could tell, though, nothing wed seen so far was connected to Napoleon.
And none of the jewelry looked even a little like the bracelet we had.
Jack joined me at the end of the rows we were searching, and shook his head.
Lets try the next gallery I whispered, but stopped.
Over his shoulder, there was movement at the far end of the gallery.
Stellan, I hissed under my breath, and yanked on Jacks sleeve.
I guess Im seeing things, I whispered.
Do you know where the Alexander artifacts are?
Stellan led us down another hall.
The next gallery was less crowded and easier to search.
It wasnt what wed been looking for, but it wasnt a coincidence, either.
And just below it was an inscription in French.
Guys, I whispered.
Jack reached me first and looked as surprised as I was.
Do you see the bracelet?
he looked at the surrounding artwork.
No, I whispered, and pointed to the inscription.
What does it say?
Stellan pushed past us, muttering to himself.
One step closer to unlocking the secret through a union forged in blood, he translated.
I grabbed Jacks sleeve excitedly.
The language was so similar to our current clues, we had to be on the right track.
Maybe its about the password.
Jack snapped a picture of the inscription with his phone.
Stellan was squinting at the words.
That parts not in French, its in Italian.
La Serenissima, like its a name.
I looked around for where it might be pointing.
A slam echoed through the museum, and all three of us jumped.
The footsteps continued on.
We cant afford to be caught in here, Jack whispered.
Even if La
Serenissima is another piece of artwork, its probably not in this museum.
I thought I might sleep better than usual knowing we were making progress, but Id been wrong.
Venices nickname is La Serenissima, it said.
Why are you awake?
Hed stayed elsewhere in the city, and had been up as late as I was.
Does that mean the bracelets in Venice?
Lots of Napoleonic history there.
The Mikado family would be visiting Venice in a few days.
My father had mentioned that wed probably meet them while they were there.
Venice is already on my itinerary, but not for a few days, I texted.
Maybe by then we can figure out what a union forged in blood means.
I thought about Dev Rajesh, how sweet his mom was, and the party last night.
Unfortunately, they werent all like the Rajeshes.
First was the Hersch family, in Frankfurt.
We arrived ahead of schedule and took a tour.
I loved the cityit was huge and bustling and a little gritty, with surprise pockets of old-world charm.
I could picture myself living there if I had to.
The family themselves were another story.
Their only son, Jakob, was twenty-eight years old and already married.
Which wasnt awkward at all.
Not that it mattered, I reminded myself.
We still had eleven days to find the tomb, and get me out of this.
Then the Melech family, in Jerusalem.
Daniel had a mop of thick dark hair and a slim, handsome face.
They, like many other families, adhered to certain local customs.
There were candles, songs, blessings I didnt understand.
And then another hard sell.
The Melechs could offer a population base the Saxons couldnt reach from London.
Military might unrivaled in any other small territory.
They even outlined exactly what the ceremony would entail if we got married.
It was so businesslike, they may as well have used a PowerPoint presentation.
Alexander the Great had visited Jerusalem.
The two of us met Stellan and searched a few museums, but came up empty.
10 days, the Order texted that night.
Ten more days to find Alexanders tomb, or the Order would kill my mother.
The optimism Id been feeling before Germany was fading fast.
Next the Emir family, Saudi Arabia.
They had a full-grown Bengal tiger in a penthouse petting zoo.
The tiger got a squirt with a spray bottle like it was a house cat scratching the sofa.
The animals had been Maliks, Lydia said.
I decided Cole might not be kidding about the animals.
I could never live here.
Or with the Melechs.
Or the Hersch family.
Id rather marry Stellan.
