She continued to scrutinize his every move, but he remained unimpressed with all that they passed. His hands stayed in his pockets, and if he stared at anything, it was always fleeting.
When they reached a cupboard of jeweled goblets, Evangeline thought she felt his eyes on her, watching her with more concentration than he’d looked at anything else. But when she turned to check, Jacks was already stalking ahead.
The Prince of Hearts’ mouth became more sullen as the matriarch pointed Evangeline toward a shelf of ancient dragon eggs. Then there was the cabinet of pulsing hobgoblin hearts, which made her very grateful the cook hadn’t made any fudge.
The items grew more haphazard after that. There were some possibly magic mirrors, ornamental robes, and a series of eerie but appealing framed pictures. But like the rest of the items, none held any interest for Jacks.
“Not having fun?” Evangeline needled.
“I feel as if I’m backstage at a bad magic show,” Jacks grumbled.
Evangeline probably should have been pleased Jacks wasn’t finding what he wanted. But that also meant that she wasn’t finding out what he wanted either.
“Let me help you,” Evangeline whispered, hoping to finally coax an answer out of him. “If you tell me what you’re looking for, I can try to find it.”
Jacks didn’t even acknowledge her offer. Completely ignoring Evangeline, he picked up a skull made of emerald and tossed it up and down like an apple, graceful and quick, and a little violently, as if he wanted something to hurt.
Jacks was either too proud to accept her help, or he didn’t want her to know what he was after. Regardless, he was clearly becoming tired of the vault. And it could have just been her imagination, but it appeared the magic from her kiss was flagging as well. The matriarch’s smile sagged, her shoulders slumped, and she’d stopped bragging about her favorite things. She hadn’t even bothered to scold Jacks for tossing around the skull.
If Evangeline wanted to know what Jacks was looking for, she needed to do something.
“Coward,” she coughed.
Two sharp eyes slid her way. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” Evangeline murmured. “Although … now that I think about it, it’s rather disappointing that your sinister plan is so weak that telling me one tiny piece could thwart it all.”
“Very well, Little Fox.” Jacks continued tossing his skull with the ruthless elegance of a young man who’d catch it just as easily as he would let it fall. “If you want to help me, ask your friend the matriarch if you can see her collection of stones.”
“You’re looking for stones?” Evangeline asked.
Jacks gave her one silent shake of his head as if he’d already said too much.
She felt as if he was toying with her. But she’d also come to believe that even when Jacks played with her, he was being serious.
“Lady Fortuna,” Evangeline called. The woman was now a few steps ahead, far enough that Evangeline had to cry out a second time. “Mistress Fortuna!”
“Yes, my dear.” She finally turned around. “Is there something you wanted me to show you?”
“I heard you had a collection of stones, and I would love to see it.”
“Oh no, my dear, I’m afraid I don’t have any … stones.” The woman’s entire countenance shifted as she said the last word. Her mouth started twitch-twitch-twitching, cracking what remained of her adoring expression, until the grandmother fa?ade was gone and the murderous doll was back. “You—it’s you—”
“Little Fox.” Jacks’s voice turned eerily soft. “I think it’s time for you to run.”
“How did I not see it?” The older woman gasped, staring at Evangeline as if she were the most dangerous one in that vault. “You’re the one who will open the Valory Arch.”
“Jacks,” Evangeline hissed. For all the matriarch’s talk about how glorious the arches were, she suddenly looked horrified. “What is she talking about? What is the Valory Arch?”
“Why are you still here?” Jacks took Evangeline’s arm and fluidly shoved her behind him.
But he wasn’t leaving, and neither was she.
“You will know her because she will be crowned in rose gold,” the woman chanted. “She will be both peasant and princess.”
“She’s mad,” Jacks growled. “You need to get out of here now.”
Evangeline’s heart pounded, urging her to do the same exact thing. Get out. Get out. Get out. But she stayed rooted to the spot, listening to the matriarch chant: