The Lost City

Check out a sneak peek of a cool new place Tabby and the girls will be visiting in Ms. Mulligan and the Council of Butterflies! Coming in 2026 to a bookstore near you.

“The Lost City, as it’s called,” Ruby continued, “is not as often visited by tourists as is the more famous Machu Picchu, but it is safe to hike to the ruins now. It has been studied by local Jewels, who believe it had been occupied for centuries by ancient tribes, many of which may have been practicing the way of the Jewels. They believe it holds much spiritual power and it would make sense for the Sisters to take your father there, Tabitha. They may believe that their influence on him, their dark magic, if you will, may be stronger in such an ancient and mystical place.”

“Safe to hike there now?” Kat said, raising a finger. “Why wasn’t it safe before?”

“War,” Raul and Julio replied, once again in perfect unison.

“Yes, it’s true that several tourists were kidnapped in the Lost City years and years ago,” Ruby said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “But the army patrols the city now. No problem.”

Dolly’s eyes widened to the size of small saucers. “What? We’re goin’ to a place where beautiful American young ladies such as myself may be kidnapped and bartered?” Dolly turned to Tabby. “Tabitha, I cannot be taken hostage! You know my daddy doesn’t have the money to pay for my release! For the love of buttered biscuits, what are we doing here, Tabby??!!”

“Mrs. Bumble?” Tabby said. “What’s the plan here? I don’t want to put my friends in danger.”

All six of the Catala Brothers—Raul, Julio, Juan, Carmen, Oliver, and Pedro—stood at attention. Pedro, the youngest of the bunch with bright blue eyes and the face of a boy band member, put a hand over his heart and addressed Dolly. “Beautiful Miss Dolly,” he said, blue eyes sparkling against his very tanned skin. “Te protegeremos. We will protect you.” As he smiled, a lock of wavy brown hair fell across one blue eye.

Dolly’s cheeks went pink.

“That’s why the Brothers are coming with us, Tabby,” Mrs. Bumble interjected. “To keep us all safe. Remember the cabin this summer? This is their mission—to protect and serve members of the Jewels of Jericho and help rescue kidnap victims all over South America and Mexico. Believe me, they are well trained.”

With those words, the six men clicked the heels of their boots together. Before their eyes, in one fluid motion, their dark hair, and blue eyes, and military style clothing disintegrated into specks, into black-eyed peas, into buzzing bits . . . into a swarm of bees.