THE car glided over the city and toward the palace grounds. From above, the complex stretched far beyond the main palace. There were several smaller buildings scattered around the grounds, some with red roofs, others covered in ivy. A wide garden sat to one side, and a long path led to what looked like some kind of private building. Near the edge of the grounds, a hedge maze sat in neat, geometric rows. Tall stone walls surrounded the whole area, and guards stood at regular intervals along the perimeter. The palace itself sat at the center. It was a large structure with pointed roofs and narrow windows that looked older than everything around it.
The car slowed at the main gate. A guard stepped forward and spoke briefly to Valentine through the window. A moment later, the gate opened and the car moved forward.
