The sorcerer collapsed, Piers easing him to the floor. I crouched with him, Mom rushing over to check on us. My friend's face compressed in grief as he finally looked up and met my eyes.

"Syd," he choked. "She's made her bed."

I know he was talking about his mother, but I couldn't leave it there. "We can't let the Steam Union just vanish," I said, pulling him to his feet. "We're going. Now."

Piers followed me as I ...