“If it makes any difference, I think what you did to help Blaze is invaluable. I know for a fact that one or two people in the Book are impressed with you, and that may lead to bigger things, you know.”

Fiona smiled. Mac was usually so forward and blunt. Why not say who? “That’s quite cryptic. Who’re you talking about?”

Mac shook her head, her sunglow-gold hair swinging across her ethereal azure-robed shoulder. “Nope. I’ve said more than I should’ve as it is. You’re too clever, and some secrets are best kept that way—secret.”

“Oh, now you’re simply trying to poke my curiosity.”

Calistino was well known for its port arches decorated with crawling vines and carved by well-known artists of the page’s past. The arches denoted the few ports that could be accessed from neighboring cities, keeping it a bustling coastal city for trade and ships. Deep copper water brushed its northern edge, making it easy to navigate to, and canals like wriggling fingers poked into the city, giving ample avenues for traveling throughout it on boat. The walking paths were for everyday use, but it wouldn’t be rare to find someone who used both in the common course of their day. It was a good city to keep as a prominent pagemark for the Court of Copper, and those who cared to track such things knew it.

The Thread housed a large first floor boding ample seating for all body types in the Book (which varied from small and winged to large and elephantine). Its robin’s-egg exterior was edged in white trimming that gave the appearance of delicate lacework draped upon an elaborate dollhouse. That delicacy belied the showroom for performers, quaint guest rooms, private quarters, sitting areas and so on. With a handful of floors and so much space, there had to be more going on here than met her investigative eye.