Gwen wasn’t one to dwell on the past or things that might have been. That wasn’t in her nature. But then, she wasn’t a normal part of nature anymore, and that was fine by her.

  Living on the feirm for decades, Gwen learned how animals reproduce, naturally, as one does. Morgan used to worry Gwen would despair about not growing up, but in truth, the more Gwen learned about adult urges and adult behaviors, the more grateful she was to not be included.

  It wasn’t that Gwen found adult behavior disgusting, per se, but it had no appeal to her. Perhaps because her body never reached maturity. Perhaps it was an unconscious choice to protect herself from hurt. The exact reason was irrelevant, because Gwen wasn’t big on introspection, either. Gwen didn’t look back, and she didn’t look inward. She looked around and forward. These qualities provided Gwen with peace of mind for many decades and enabled her to sleep soundly while Plenty and Hinata were out on their mission.

  But when they got back, they woke her up and told her what they’d learned, and for the first time in Gwen’s memory, she was envious. It sounded fun and exciting. They’d learned so much at Strangers, but Gwen would never be welcome there. She tried to conceal her resentment as she asked follow-up questions.

  Gwen, Hinata, and Plenty were sitting on the bed discussing their options, specifically, whether to go directly to Admissions or to the Luxori manor.

  ‘No,’ signed Gwen. ‘Our objective is to steal a Blessing. That’s why we’re infiltrating the college: to get closer to Adam. Becoming a black market mercenary doesn’t advance our objective, so no. We can investigate this Luxori place another day; tomorrow, we go to Admissions.’

  ‘About that,’ Plenty responded. ‘We don’t know when Admissions opens or closes, so it’s probably best we go in the morning.’ He looked over at Hinata with pity. ‘And I think I should take Gwen alone.’

  Hinata reacted in shock. “What? Why?”

  Gwen knew why, and she answered, ‘Because travelling during the day is hard on us, and we don’t know how long this will take. Plenty can carry me in a robe if necessary, but he can’t carry both of us.’

  Hinata deflated; her shoulders dropped.

  Plenty took that as settled. ‘Okay. I should sleep while there’s still time,’ Plenty tapped Gwen on the shoulder as he stood up, adding, ‘Wake me when you’re ready to go.’

  Plenty left to sleep in the room with the window, leaving Gwen and Hinata alone.

  Gwen didn’t much enjoy being alone with Hinata anymore. The air between them was wide and full of miserable abstractions like guilt and resentment, buried under obligation and familiarity.

  They still loved each other; that much hadn’t changed, but now, mixed with love, Hinata hated Gwen. Gwen could sense it, like a smell in the air. Hinata wasn’t cruel, but ever since Gwen shared Cain’s curse with her, Hinata couldn’t stand to look at her for more than a few brief instances at a time. An arm’s length separated them, but it might as well be a chasm.

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  Gwen felt alone, more alone with Hinata than she was when the house was empty.

  ‘Tell me about this Xavier Gato guy,’ Gwen tried to bridge the divide. ‘Does he run Strangers?’

  Hinata waved a hand dismissively. ‘I don’t know and I didn’t ask. Any personal questions I asked were shut down. He told me his name, that’s all. I saw him give orders, and those orders were obeyed, but I’m guessing his family runs Strangers. Xavier probably takes marching orders from someone, maybe a parent or an uncle.’

  ‘What do you think he wanted from you?’ Gwen asked.

  Hinata looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. ‘I’m not sure. I think he was sizing me up. I think several people were sizing us up, me and Plenty. When he wakes up, Plenty can tell you about a guy we met at the bar, Heathcliff. Or the bartender, Candy…’

  Hinata got up off the bed and paced the floor. ‘I’m curious what goes on in the basement, and if the rumors we heard are true… if there really are fae survivors down there…’

  Gwen hugged her knees. Then she signed, ‘I think it unlikely any fae could survive in this city.’

  ‘Plenty is surviving,’ Hinata corrected.

  ‘That’s true, but we’re here on a limited mission. Plenty won’t be staying here forever. The goal is to leave this place with a Blessing. If fae survivors are living underground, they’d have been there for centuries. That’s a long time to stay alive in hiding.’

  Hinata shifted her weight, relenting to Gwen’s point. Then she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  ‘My sleep schedule is wrecked. I don’t know when I’m supposed to sleep anymore, but I’m exhausted. Move over.’

  Since there was only one windowless room, they would have to share the bed, so Gwen snuffed out her magelight and turned to face the wall.

  The sisters slept back-to-back, not touching.

  -8-

  Plenty shook Gwen awake.

  She blinked to focus her drowsy eyes enough to see Plenty’s signs.

  ‘Hurry up!’ he shook her again. ‘You were supposed to wake me, but the light in the window did it, so now we have to travel during midday. Get dressed and wash your face. You need to make a good impression today.’

  Gwen had to crawl out of bed to avoid waking Hinata. The room was dark, but a little indirect sunlight slipped in through the door. Plenty stood in the doorway, casting a protective shadow, but still, Gwen’s bare skin itched. She hurried to slip on pants, a shirt, and her thick leather jacket. It was cut for adults and fell to her knees, but Morgan had taken it in for her years ago, so it fit her nicely, provided excellent body cover, and she looked cool in it. She put on her boots, gloves, and covered her face with a scarf, and ran to the bathroom to gargle and splash her face with water. Last night while the house was still empty, Gwen had taken a long bath, so the stink of travel was off her, thankfully, but Plenty was right; she needed to make a good impression today.

  She took some time to brush her hair into place, then she asked Plenty if she could borrow one of his shirts. Gwen didn’t own ‘pretty’ clothes, but Plenty had some nice things, and if she took it in just right, one of his shirts would fit her like a dress.

  ‘This was a good idea,’ Plenty told her as he tied a knot in the back of it. Then he turned her around to examine her. ‘Yes. Very pretty. Very smart. Now cover up, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.’

  Gwen swelled at Plenty’s encouragement. He stood up to move toward the door, but Gwen grabbed his hand, holding him in place. He stopped to look at her, a curious pause written on his face.

  ‘Thank you,’ Gwen signed. ‘I don’t say it enough. Thank you for everything you do, you’ve done.’

  Plenty smiled like she was being silly. He pinched her cheek and signed, ‘We’re family. That’s what family does. Now, are you ready to go?’

  Gwen nodded.

  ‘Then let’s go!’