Summary

Gráinne and Mel arrive in 1850 San Francisco. They find their witch, Xiu Li, and Mel tries to recruit her for DODO, but Gráinne only explains the coming permanent decline in magic. Gráinne tells Mel that they are actually on a secret mission and will not recruit Xiu Li the way Mel expected. Instead, they will make contact with a Fugger in the city to set up Xiu Li and her descendants as wealthy and powerful allies. Mel reels at how many secrets have been kept from her as both the Fugger and Xiu Li agree to Gráinne’s plan. Gráinne Sends Mel to 1851 London instead of Homing her. There, Mel is taken in by a doctor who hopes to “salvage” her for a good Christian life (635). Mel begins to record her story.

Mortimer creates a secure...