Gwen kept a hand on the haunch of the snow leopard familiar as it led her out of Eve’s office, out of her monumental college, and across the grounds. Green moss blanketed the ground outside, dotted by bright blue poppies. The structures were all built of polished white ivory. Every window was a stained-glass masterpiece. The night sky was cloudless, and the stars had never been brighter. Begrudgingly, Gwen thought it might be the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.

  “The Time Dragon’s hollow was even more beautiful,” said Raf.

  The thought almost bounced off Gwen’s still-shocked brain. She couldn’t wrap her head around the revelation that somehow, Eve had Rafael Avalyn’s soul trapped in a necklace. Even Raf– or rather, the frozen mental copy of Raf that voiced Gwen's symbiotic brainworm– seemed unmoored, like he was half-asleep and mumbling words from the vantage of a dream.

  So Gwen followed the familiar in a daze, her eyes low and unfocused. They crossed the mossy grounds and stepped onto a cobble road of smoothed crystals, which twinkled in blue aetherlight lamps, shades of crystal pinks, greens, purples, reds, yellows, blues, and every color in between.

  The buildings in this part of Upper Garden were more eclectic than the Ivory Tower Gwen just left. Each was like a grand castle, all in a neat row, trying to outdo one another. The grounds around each castle were varied. Some retained a simple yard of green moss and blue poppies, letting the imposing architecture stand without frills or distractions. Other castle yards were more elaborate, with strange trees and fauna Gwen had never seen before.

  The snow leopard led Gwen past a few castles before they approached the gate of a castle made entirely of glass. At least, it looked like glass to Gwen. As she walked up the path to the front door, she passed a glass fountain of an angel, glowing with light from a source Gwen assumed was enchantment. Behind it, massive trees made entirely of glass glowed forest green and brown. Glass rosebushes marked the pathway. The roses glowed, as well.

  The front door opened as Gwen walked up the steps. A stately-looking woman stood at the door and beckoned Gwen inside. She wore glasses and her salt-and-pepper hair tied back into a knot. A chameleon rested on her shoulder, its little hands gripping a necklace. The woman’s shoes and dress looked comfortable. She was probably lounging at home with little notice when she was informed. To her credit, she seemed friendly and unbothered, if a bit no-nonsense.

  The inside of the Luxori estate was surprisingly subdued, considering the extravagant display on the yard. The walls were mostly shades of brown to beige. The aetherlight lamps provided a soft, golden ambient. The furniture was mercifully made of wood and fabric, not glass.

  The stately woman led Gwen to a seating room with a cozy fireplace. She sat in a chair next to the fireplace, and Gwen sat in the chair opposite hers. She appeared to be about the same age as Gwen, though Gwen would never appear 50. She also looked like the kind of person who might poison your tea, but the tea’s source, quality, and taste would be exquisite and piping hot. She spoke and Raf interpreted.

  “It’s good to meet you, Gwen. My name is Lucille Luxori, and I’m told you’re to be my new ward.”

  That brought Gwen back to her senses. She nodded agreeably. Her immediate survival depended on her ability to fit into this society and this woman’s house.

  “I’m also told that you’re to receive the utmost consideration whenever possible. I must say, it’s a rare privilege you’re being given. I hope you accept this opportunity with the gravity it deserves.”

  Again, Gwen nodded, but more seriously this time.

  Lucille didn’t smile. She raised her chin in proud approval. “I’d like you to demonstrate something for me, if you would. Anything you like.”

  Gwen gulped and thought for a bit. She rubbed her hands together, for no reason other than to buy her more time to think.

  Small to start, but not too small, Gwen thought. Modest, but not too modest.

  From the palms of her hands, Gwen gathered light from around her and drew energy from the crystal in her pocket to cast a little illusion of a glass seed, which broke open to sprout, grow, and bloom into a glass lily, which burst into a bouquet.

  Gwen released the illusion into sparkling dust and caught a brief, impressed expression on Lucille’s face before it returned to its usual resting state.

  “That was very pretty, and quite impressive for one so young,” Lucille said. “I see the talent. You could be an asset to the world, Gwen.”

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  Gwen let herself bask in the compliment. She privately agreed, but Lucille didn’t need to know that.

  “Of course, we’ll have to push that talent to its limits. It won’t be easy, you understand?”

  Gwen nodded again.

  Lucille softly smiled. “I’m sorry, little one. I know, it’s a difficult adjustment. But understand, you have a new family now. You’ll be living here from now on. And I promise, you’ll be safe and well taken care of.”

  Gwen’s nods were getting meek and sad. She understood her position well enough to know she was entirely at this woman’s mercy. Lucille seemed sensitive to the situation, grimacing and leaning forward.

  “You can talk to me. If there’s anything you need, okay? We can start work tomorrow. For now, let’s get to know each other better. Tell me how you’re doing. What’s on your mind?”

  Gwen drew a blank. What do I tell her?

  Raf spoke directly, “Tell her about your allergies! You need accommodations or you’ll get sick.”

  Gwen stopped nodding and began signing. The snow leopard interpreted for her so Lucille could understand, but evidently, Lucille was not informed about Gwen’s ‘condition.’

  “Oh! My dear, are you mute?” Lucille asked.

  ‘Yes!’ Gwen signed. ‘I’m afraid that’s one of a number of maladies I suffer. I’m allergic to direct sunlight, and I… I have a particular diet.’

  It was Lucille’s turn to nod dumbly. Clearly, she had doubts. But Lucille tilted her head and said, “Well, I’ve been told to provide you the utmost consideration whenever possible, so you don’t have to worry. We can train at night. And if you tell Milicent, our chef, she’ll prepare meals to suit your needs. Oh! Are you hungry now?”

  Gwen wondered if it was safe to answer truthfully. She was thirsty. Deadly thirsty. She hadn’t noticed it before, being rather distracted, but now that she thought about it, Lucille’s jugular looked mighty appetizing.

  ‘Maybe you could show me the kitchen?’ Gwen suggested.

  With a pinched smile, Lucille said, “Of course,” and led Gwen out of the room. They walked down the hall, passing the door to a large dining area, and entered the adjoining kitchen. Behind a large stonetop island, a round-faced woman with amber-colored hair was kneading dough. She looked up with surprise and smiled widely when she saw who entered.

  She dusted her floury hands against her apron and dashed around the island. “And who is this precious little one?”

  “This is my new ward, Gwen. Gwen, meet Milicent. You can tell her what you need, and she’ll make it happen,” said Lucille.

  Milicent got on her knee to greet her. “That’s right, little Miss Gwen. Oh! It’s been so long since we’ve had a little princess to dote on. You tell Auntie Millie what you like. Do you like pie? I’m making one now, and I can put whatever you like in it.”

  Gwen’s heart was pounding. She was drawing a blank. What do I say?

  Raf offered a suggestion, “Tell her it’s not about want. It’s about need. You have an iron deficiency, and you need to drink blood to make up the deficit. Tell her it’s a genetic condition.”

  Fortunately, neither Milicent nor Lucille seemed to understand sign language. The familiar interpreters were polite and generous, so even though Gwen stumbled and stammered her line, the adults didn’t seem to notice. They did, however, understand Gwen when she asked for blood, fresh blood, specifically.

  Milicent’s face froze in stunned disbelief. She looked up at Lucille, but Lucille also looked shocked. But Lucille recovered swiftly and gave Milicent a forceful nod.

  “Uhh… I think that… can be arranged. We keep livestock in a barn in the back. I can… uh… yeah, I’ll just… bring you a fresh cup. Maybe up to your bedroom then? A warm nightcap sounds lovely.” Milient pinched Gwen’s cheeks and stood up. She stepped back and tossed a worried expression in Lucille’s direction, but Lucille just pinched her lips and led Gwen out of the kitchen.

  “Yes, let’s show you to your new bedroom,” Lucille said.

  Gwen followed Lucille up a flight of stairs and down another hall to arrive at a door that appeared to be pink, transparent glass. Lucille opened it and led Gwen into a cozy, furnished bedroom. The chairs and dresser were made of smooth, polished cherry wood. The bed was massive with little steps to get into it. The window curtains were parted, so Gwen requested that they be closed.

  Lucille’s jaw clenched as she closed the curtains like some common maid, and Gwen wondered if she had been unwise to ask. But then Lucille’s demeanor changed again to warm and maternal.

  “If there’s nothing else you need tonight, I think it’s best we get some rest and start early in the morning,” she said, her hands clasped at her waist.

  Gwen was still too numb to think of anything else, so she just nodded again, feeling like an idiot.

  Lucille nodded back. “Very good. I’m sure Milicent will be in soon with your… nightcap. There’s a bathroom over here.” Lucille opened a side door, revealing a toilet and sink. “Brush your teeth before bed. I haven’t had time to hire a governess for you yet, but that will happen soon. In the meantime, I expect you to be on your best behavior. How you behave over the next few days will determine what kind of governess I procure, so don’t give me reasons to hire someone with a firm hand.”

  Gwen wished she could do something, anything other than nod.