My exhilaration wore down and I fully processed what happened. Three million dollar, up in smoke, just like that. The Great Hall was empty now, except for the seven teams and McIntyre.

"You may open your envelopes."

RIP, RIP, RIP.

Inside was a crème paper with black calligraphy. It read:

"That's it?" Mrs. Holt yelled. "That's all we get?"

"Ten words," Mr. Holt said. "That's-" He broke off and started counting on his fingers.

"That's $500,000 per word," I supplied, " You guys gave up five mil. That divided by ten is $500,000."

"That's stupid!" Madison Holt said."We need more clue!"

"Too bad, that's all you've got." I replied.

"Richard S-," The male demon mused. "Now who could that be?" The demon children smirked to each other. The bastards.

"Wait a minute." Gangstah Dad said looking up from his phone. "Did everyone get the same clue? Because my son insists on exclusive material. It's in his standard contract."

"The thirty-nine clues," McIntyre said, " are the major stepping stones to the final goal. They are the same for each team. The first one, which you have received, is the only one that will be so simple."

"Simple?" Cane man said. "I'd hate to see the difficult ones."

"However," McIntyre continued, "there are many paths to each clue. Hints and secrets have been buried for you to find - clues to the clues, if you will."

"I'm getting a headache," Sinead Starling said. I silently agreed with her.

"How you proceed is entirely up to you," McIntyre said. "But remember: You all seek the same end, and only one team will succeed. Speed is of the essence."

Twitchy Russian Lady folded her clue, put it in her purse, and jetted out the hall.

Cane man frowned." It seems Cousin Irina has an idea."

The triplets put their heads together and it seems they had an epiphany at the same time as they raced out the room so fast they toppled chairs. Something about this riddle bothered me. Fine print suggested a book or a published article. So we had to look for a Richard S. But then the word 'resolution' had to mean something. The book could be old as this clue hunt has been going on for centuries.

Looking up from the floor, I saw Jonah had left.

"Well." Male demon said with a slow stretch. "Are you ready, dear sister?"

"To make fools of our American cousins?" Female demon said smiling innocently, "Anytime."

Dan and I tried to trip them on their way past, but they nimbly stepped over and kept walking.

"All right!" The laud Mr. Holt hollered, "Team, form up!"
All of the Holts shot up, even their pit bull. Jesus, they're like an army.

"Where we going, Dad?" The eldest son, Hamilton, asked.

"I don't know. But everyone else is leaving! Follow them!"
Then they marched like soldier out of the Great Hall. All of them seemed dull, despite sharing names with some of Americans most famous people. President Eisenhower, Mary-Todd Lincoln, President Reagan, President Madison, and- my favorite- Alexander Hamilton.

"Dear me," Korean dude sighed, and I finally realized how mischievous he looked. "I think I'll have a stroll around the grounds and think about this."
I was thankful he left as he gave me a weird vibe, not the good one kpop stars gave off, but a different, dangerous vibe.

"Resolution. Fine print. Richard S-. I don't get it," Dan said finally.

"I can offer you no help with the clue." Mr. McIntyre said, smiling faintly. "But your grandmother would be pleased you accepted the challenge."

Amy shook her head. "We don't stand a chance, do we? The Kabras and Starlings are rich. Jonah Wizard's famous. The Holts are like steroid monsters. Alistair and Irina seem so- I don't know- worldly. And Dan and I-"

"You guys seem pretty talented," I spoke up, "I've known you both for a couple of hours, but know you both are full of random knowledge. Amy is quieter, but careful and logical. Dan is a lot louder, but he can catch the smallest details. I know these despite not knowing you personally. You're both very talented, and kind."

Dan looked down at the clue, "We're supposed to find this Richard dude, but who has just 'S' as a last name?"

Amy jumped, "In the 1700s, people would do that for anonymity!"

I nodded, "Like a fake name, many people used them: Alexander Hamilton, although that didn't really work, Samuel Seabury, Benjamin Franklin."

"Wait," Dan said, "So, like, I could say A- has a face like a baboon button, and you wouldn't know who I'm talking about?" Amy hit him in the ear. "Ow!"

"Children," McIntyre interrupted, "You'll have enough enemies without fighting each other. Besides-" He checked his pocket watch- "we don't have much time, and there is something I must tell you, something your grandmother wanted you to know." At this I nodded and started to walk away to give them privacy. "You too, Miss Anastasia Marie." I stood shocked.

"So is it an inside tip?" Dan asked hopefully.

"A warning, young master Dan. You see, all Cahill - if they know themselves to be Cahills - belong to one of four major branches."

"Ekaterina, Janus, Tomas, and Lucian. They were in the library," I supplied.

"Uh yes," McIntyre responded, looking startled, "When did you go there?"

"Last night. I got here early and needed a place to crash. The security sucks, by the way," I answered optimistically. The trio looked kind of shocked.

"If there are four branches, what are we?" Dan asked.

Amy shrugged, "She mentioned the names to me, but she refused to tell me what we are."

"I'm afraid I can't help you there," McIntyre said, but he seemed to be hiding something, "However, Children, there is another . . . ah, interesting party you should know of. Not a Cahill branch, but a group that might make your quest even more difficult."

"Ninjas?" Dan asked excitedly.

"Nothing quite that safe," McIntyre said. What? Ninjas were considered safe? "I can tell you very little about them. I do know the name and a couple of unsettling stories. But you must beware them. This is your grandmother's last warning, children, which she made me promise to tell you if you accepted the challenge: Beware the Madrigal. "

A chill crept up my spine. The name itself was dark and mysterious, giving off a Edgar Allen Poetry vibe.

"Who are-" Dan started.

"My boy," the old man said, "I can tell you no more. I've already stretched the rules of the competition saying as much as I have. Just promise me you will trust no one. Please. For your own safety."

"We don't even know where to start!" Amy cried. "Everyone ran off like they knew what to do. We have no clue!"

McIntyre stood and closed his leather folder. "I must go to my office. But, my dear, perhaps your path to the answer is different then others. What do you do to find answers?"

"Reading!" Amy gasped, "The library, to Grace's library!"

I smiled as I watched her race out of the room with Dan on her tail.

"My dear," McIntyre said, "I must admit, that out of everyone in the world, you can trust them. You may feel out of place, but you belong beside them, trust me."

I smiled and nodded, not really knowing how to reply. McIntyre made a shooing motion and I grinned before running to the library.