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It was on the tip of Alex’s tongue to mention house elves, but she managed to resist the urge. Just.

“It’s an interesting question, but perhaps one for another time,” Jordan said, leaning over to press a light kiss to D.C.’s temple, easing her furrowed brow by affection alone.

Sighing, she said, “You’re right, of course. Given our early morning, we should probably all try and get some sleep.”

Alex was trying not to think about the next morning—or rather, not to think about how little she knew of what they were getting themselves into.

As if understanding D.C.’s words, the six helpers all stepped forward, as silent as mimes.

“That’s going to get real weird, real fast,” Jordan said quietly.

“Already there,” Bear returned, warily eyeing the black-robed figures.

Alex had to repress a smile. While she was worried about what her friends might have to face in the coming days, she was still grateful that they had followed her and Kaiden to Tia Auras. More than ever, she needed them by her side—not just toprovide support and encouragement, but also for the moments like this. Moments where they pushed through their grief and reminded her of the purity of their friendship, something that had helped her survive as long as she had. Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, they were always there for each other. They could get through anything together—including, perhapsespecially, everything that lay ahead.

“I guess I’ll see you all in the morning?” Alex asked as Zaylin began to stride away from the group towards one of the previously locked doors.

The other helpers did the same, with them gesturing politely for Alex’s friends, rather than just expecting them to follow in their wake like Zaylin.

“Don’t let the otherworldly bed bugs bite,” D.C. called from her doorway across the room, her tone joking until she realised that it was a possibility, at which point her face paled.

Smiling to herself, Alex followed Zaylin into what she guessed was her bedroom for the duration of her stay. She tried not to gape at the luxurious surrounds, but it was a challenge. With everything covered in diamonds and gold, Alex couldn’t help feeling like she’d stepped into a life-size chandelier. The bed, the dresser, the ensuite bathroom—everything was so shiny that it was almost painful to her eyes. The only reprieve was a set of gauzy, opalescent curtains that led to a private balcony, but even that hosted a view of the extravagant city. With the three moons now high in the sky and the shooting stars still streaking across the horizon, Vardaesia looked more like a galaxy than a city. Lit from above, lit from within, and surrounded by billowing clouds—it was truly awe-inspiring. And yet…

“This place is just too much,” she mumbled under her breath, moving back into the room.

Zaylin had remained as still as a statue near the door while Alex had quickly explored her surroundings, the Tia Auran’sface a mask of midnight stone. All of the other helpers had seemed at least a little warm to their human counterparts, but Zaylin was as unyielding astraesostowards Alex.

Clearing her throat, Alex decided to try and break the ice between them. “You’re Zaylin, right? I’m Alex.”

When Zaylin didn’t so much as blink, Alex tried again, “I know Calivere said you can’t understand me, but, um, well…”

Alex realised there was no point trying to converse if Zaylin couldn’t comprehend what was being said. Instead, she tried something else.

Slowly approaching the woman, Alex pointed to herself and said, “Alex.” She then pointed towards Zaylin and said her name, before doing it again, back and forth a few times until it was impossible for the Tia Auran not to have understood.

Zaylin’s response, however, was unexpected, with her replying in the lyrical language of her race, the words coming out almost bitingly. “I knew who you were before you ever set eyes on me,Alex. I also know you are nothing more than a lost cause sent here on a fool’s errand. You will fail your people, and when you do, you’ll have only yourself to blame. Forgive me if I don’t relish having to bear witness to such an end.”

With a flash of light, Zaylin disappeared, and it was a good thing she did, because Alex wouldn’t have been able to hide her stunned expression a moment longer. She wasn’t supposed to be able to understand the otherworldly language, so Zaylin had no way of knowing her words were not only comprehended, but also taken to heart.

Feeling hollow, Alex moved stiffly to the bed, sinking down into its impossibly soft covers. Curling up into a ball, she wrapped her arms around herself, unable to fight off the shivers that started to overtake her body. She was numb inside—numb with fear of what the next six days might bring, numb withworry for her friends in Tia Auras with her, numb with concern for those back in Medora.

Unless Athora had shared, no one knew where Alex was or what she was doing. Her teachers and friends at Akarnae were likely continuing on with classes as usual, trying to act normal while watching the growing threat shadowing closer in the background. Kyia and Zain were likely watching over Roka and keeping him and those remaining in Draekora safe from Aven. And Alex’s parents…

Her heart gave a pang of longing, knowing that her parents were likely still exploring their Ancient Egyptian environment, oblivious to what had befallen her, to the danger swirling outside of their Library habitat. Having grown up as independent as she had, it was rare for Alex to be so overwhelmed with need for her parents, but right now, she would give anything for her mother’s loving arms, for her father’s encouraging words. Her parents might not have been around for much of her life, so focused as they were on their work, but they had always been there when it mattered. She knew that if they were with her, they would do everything in their power to relieve her of the crushing burden she felt and her fears of what she was yet to face.

Six days. Alex was so afraid of what she would return home to. Because that’s what Medora was to her now—it was her home. And she was fighting so hard to keep it safe. Fighting so hard for something that might end up proving impossible.

‘You will fail your people, and when you do, you’ll have only yourself to blame.’

With Zaylin’s barbed words replaying over and over, Alex’s numbness finally gave way to exhaustion as everything from the last few days caught up with her. She didn’t have it in her to so much as change out of her white gown before her eyes shut of their own accord, her trembling eased and she drifted off into a restless sleep.

Five

The mood at the breakfast table thenext morning was subdued.

Alex wondered if her friends had slept as poorly as she, but was too nervous to ask; too nervous to say anything much at all.

Having been awoken by a rough shake of her shoulder by the grim-faced Zaylin, Alex hadn’t tried to start conversing with the Tia Auran again. She’d just followed mutely into her private bathroom and eased herself into the warm bath, attempting to wash away her lingering exhaustion. Despite how long she’d slept, she remained so tired that even her bones ached, making her wonder if she might be coming down with some kind of otherworldly flu. That would certainly be her luck. She only wished she could access some of Fletcher’s quick-fix medicines—or the doctor himself, since he would know what she needed in order to feel better.