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in the shadow’s darkness. I knew I should feel happy, grateful. But as good as I was at singing songs, I was never trained in the art of trusting people. Everyone in my life but Frada and Nico had failed me. “I am sorry, Arwa, but I do not need the help of others—”
    She smiled. “You are as brave as you are talented. And as independent. But if you think I would betray my most beloved student to Nabu-na’id—that misshapen excuse for a human being—then you don’t know me.” Arwa dug a few coins from a pouch hanging from her belt and handed them to me, then gestured to my bare feet. “Buy sandals. The nicest ones you can afford.”
    â€œSandals?” I said. “But why?”
    â€œNo questions now,” Arwa said, looking nervously over her shoulder. “I will explain later. My students await. Meet me in the courtyard of the conservatory when my afternoon classes are over. If you have a clean appearance and are in good voice, my plan will work. We will free Nico.”
    â€œAnd—if it does not work?” I asked.
    â€œThe king will show you no mercy,” Arwa said. “It is a good thing you are an orphan, Daria. Because if we fail, the king would track down your entire family and have them slaughtered. But I trust that fear for your own life is sufficient motivation. I will see you in a short while.”
    With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me slack-jawed in the dark alley.

CHAPTER NINE
    T RACK DOWN YOUR entire family and have them slaughtered.
    As I raced away, Arwa’s statement seemed to echo like an evil taunt. What she did not realize was that I did have a family. To me, Nico and Frada were my brother and sister. No matter if I failed or succeeded in this mission, the king’s men would know that I did it to save Nico. Would they then make the connection to Frada? Would they track her to Zakiti’s shop? Someone would talk. Someone would give her away.
    I knew I was supposed to go directly to the cobbler for sandals, but I had to see Frada. I had to warn her.
    The sun was now climbing the eastern sky, but inside Zakiti’s shop it could have been the middle of the night. The lamplight gave Frada’s sleeping figure a halo of gold. Her breaths were soft and even, free of the snores and moans that had attended her sickness. The pomegranate had been miraculous. Even in the short time I’d been away, she’d improved. Soon she would be back to her old self.
    I could not let them hunt her down like an animal. She would have to go with me. If I could learn to trust Arwa, Frada must also trust me. Surely she could help in Arwa’s mysterious plan.
    Gently I touched the side of Frada’s face. Her skin was warm. “Good morning,” I said. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œDaria?” Frada’s eyes fluttered open. She sat up slowly, as if testing her own ability. “You’re back! Did you find Nico?”
    I quickly told her the story of his capture and of Arwa’s offer to help. When I said I wanted to take her along, she did not hesitate to answer. “I will do it for you. For Nico. But, Daria, we must not forget about Zakiti. They will need to punish someone if we succeed. What if they come here and take their revenge on her?”
    I admired Frada’s deep empathy for others, but before I could think of a response, the old woman’s voice cut through the murky darkness. “By the great Marduk, what is this I hear? Concern for old, broken-down Zakiti? You are leaving forever, to find that foolish boy, and you have a thought for me?”
    Frada and I both froze. “I—I—” I stammered.
    â€œDoes the mushushu have your tongue?” Zakiti asked. “You have been nothing but trouble since the night I took you in. I should have thrown you out then.”
    â€œWe are concerned, Lady Zakiti,” Frada said, “that the king’s guards will come