She thought for a moment about calling Giles, even as she knew she couldn’t. She didn’t know if she could trust him anymore, and besides, there was no time. But this didn’t keep her from wishing he was by her side. Her parents descended behind the tree, Neptune joining them, sitting obediently on Mr. Berry’s shoulder, the two in the midst of a conversation, like two old friends. Then they were out of view. By the time she reached the tree, the opening was still there and she quickly and quietly made her way down the stairs in pursuit of her parents. The trek down felt like mere seconds. Juniper reached the bottom and gazed the length of the hall, but there was no sign of anyone. She knew her parents were most likely already seated at the table, eager to receive their balloons. Slowly, she crept closer. When her parents’ voices became clear, she crouched down, leaning against a closed door with markings of a giant tree with branches reaching out, grabbing at stars, and listened to the conversation taking place.
