Lilian slipped into Ms. Cora’s tub. She had cried all night. So much to where it hurt. Everything she ever owned— the pictures of her and her family, the sack of money she would transfer into another bank, the expensive perfumes, the frilliest to the most casual frocks— were all consumed in the fire. Lilian… was poor.

Staring ahead at the dress Miss Cora hung on a rack for her, Lilian tried to make sense of her situation. She raised her head to the ceiling and closed her eyes, sinking lower. The steamy water caressed her sides. She felt an aching in her chest. An impudent question roamed her mind: Am I a joke to you? She dared not say it out her mouth. But it was becoming harder for her to believe El cared when so much went wrong overnight.

Instead, she meditated on the words her uncle told her. She repeated to herself, This is all a test. This is all a test. Whatever that meant. Lilian turned her head toward the large arched window she sat by. A gloomy town was the view. This place wasn’t for her any more than Hiplum was. She wanted very much to fly away. To disappear. “Tell me what to do. I don’t know what to do.”

Lilian soon came downstairs in the plaid dress she was lent. The smell of eggs and bacon was pervasive. The stairs were confined between two walls patterned in black and eggplant shades of harlequin. As she approached the light around the corner, she braced herself for the children waiting for her. Lilian entered the open hall. The children were already lined up by the mahogany doors ready to go into the dining room. Lilian assumed they were instructed to be quiet by the way they hissed among each other. “Hello,” she said.

A little girl in the middle of the line looked back at Lilian and pointed, “She’s here!” Like geese, every head faced the same direction. Their wide-eyed faces reflected both curiosity and sadness. Most of them kept quiet. But not the younger ones.

“Are you alright?”

“Did the fire get you?”

“Did the building fall on you?

One of the older boys tsked, “Don’t ask stupid questions, kids. No building fell on her or she’d be dead.”

A girl shushed him, “We’re supposed to be quiet.”

A slightly younger girl at the very front of the line looked behind at everyone and sighed, then she shook her head. “I can’t believe all of you,” she muttered.

This kept the talking going as the girl who shushed everyone poked out her head and said, “Excuse me? What can’t you believe? Tell us.” She tried to be as quiet as possible but spoke forcefully.

The girl at the front looked ahead at the doors. “Everyone’s worried about a fire instead of Hugh.”

“You think I’m not worried about Hugh?”

“Did I say you?”

“Who are you talking to?”

“Not you.”

“Well, maybe you should stop talking then.”

“What was that?” The one upfront stomped out of line to address her rival. “Say it to my face!”

Lilian looked around for any adults. She knew what a dispute between girls could look like.

“I said you should stop talk—”

She pushed her down. Everyone ignored them, trying not to get in trouble themselves.

“I’m tired of you bossing everyone around! I’ve had enough!”

“Girls! Stop.” Lilian intervened, pulling the standing girl back. “You must get in line.”

The girl jolted away and pointed threateningly at the one she pushed. “You know I’d beat you if it weren’t dishonorable to Hugh. You’d be black and blue if not for his sake!”

“MARGARET!”

Margaret straightened with fear when she heard that authoritative voice. “Miss Cora. I—”

“Did I take you in to be a menace to the others here?”

Margaret shook her head hard and fast, “No, ma’am.”

“Apologize to Adeliene.”

Margaret reluctantly said, “Sorry, Adaliene.”

“For?”

“For pushing you.”

Snickers went around.

“Now apologize to Miss Lilian for her bearing witness to such a display.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

“All is well.”

Ms. Cora said, “For this behavior, you will not get your food until after we’ve all eaten. And after you finish you will join the rest of us for math as first subject.”

To that, the children exchanged disappointed glances.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ms. Cora told Margaret to get back in line. Then she announced to everyone, “I love all of you dearly. And I understand how the absence of one of our own can make us act beside ourselves. But this is not the time to fight each other. This is a time to be in prayer. And the last thing I want is for Hugh’s name to be spat out as an excuse for our misbehavior. Hugh wouldn’t want that. He would want us to conduct ourselves.”

“Will you find Hugh?” A little boy asked. His eyes looked up gravely.

Ms. Cora kept a calm expression, stretching her lips to a tight grin, “Wherever he is, I’m sure it can’t be far.” Though this did not answer the boy’s question definitively, he took it with a nod. “Now, let’s go inside the dining room.”

Two of Ms. Cora’s volunteers stood by each door and opened them. The children went inside and sat down at the wooden table. Lilian was about to walk in as well when she was brushed aside by the shoulder of one of the volunteer girls. This girl was plump with auburn hair. Her jowls were strong, and it was very noticeable that she was clenching her jaw. Lilian saw her before. She was the one who told Hugh to get his “snotty fingers off Miss Lilian and come inside”. By the way she cocked her head opposite Lilian and kept walking, it was clear she meant to move her on purpose.

But Lilian was too somber to address the rudeness. She came to the only empty seat left, the one next to Ms. Cora’s. “Perhaps today you can go by the rubble, Miss Lilian. See if anything of yours survived.”

Lilian frowned. “I don’t think I want to, ma’am.”

“Why not? There’s still a chance some of it did.”

“With all due respect, Ms. Cora, the chance is very low. The fire started in the room next to mine.”

Ms. Cora picked up scrambled eggs with her fork, “I can see how it might make you uncomfortable to revisit such a sight, but there is no harm in trying, right?”

Lilian skimmed the faces of the children. Some hardly took more than two bites of breakfast. No one spoke. It wasn’t the place she visited a few days ago. It was a home— a family— thrown off balance. Holding their breath. Wishing for the sick blind boy to return. Lilian remembered how it felt everyday to see her uncle wheeze and hack. She held her breath for him to get better. She prayed for it. It didn’t work. What if Hugh never came back. What if he “disappeared” the way that boy in the alley did? Please, El. Don’t let it be that.

A knock was heard on the other end of the wooden doors. The girl with the auburn hair stood up, and went over to the doors. All were surprised by the visitor. He stepped in with his eyes on Ms. Cora, and for a second, Lilian. “Excuse me for interrupting anything, but may I have a word with you, Miss Cora?”

“Of course, sir.” She scooted out of her seat and came to him.

The volunteer girl almost shut the doors before he stopped it with his hand. “You too, Lilian.”

“Jase?”

“Please. Come.”

Lilian got up to meet him. The doors closed so the children would not hear the conversation. As Lilian looked up at his face, she noticed the redness in Jase’s eyes, the beading sweat in his hair. His body reeked of wine and sorrows.

Ms. Cora was displeased, “Young man, there better be some good reason you’d come up in here smellin’ of whatever you did last night.”

“Yes, ma’am. My bad, ma’am.”

“Your bad? Your bad, indeed.” The woman blew a breath of frustration, “You know I have young minds here. And to see you”— she motioned towards him— “like this. It’s not the example I want them to see.”

“Yes ma’am-”

Ms. Cora held up a silencing finger, “Let me finish. You walk past this place everyday, and don’t bother to give me more than two words every week. Yet now you have something to say, and this is how you choose to do it. What disrespect!” She ground her teeth, “Believe me, I understand the scars that rise from a sorry upbringing. I once pitied you, Jase. But I can not stand for this. I hope that this is not how you come home to Tessaline every night.”

“Tess is not home.”

Miss Cora froze, “What? Well, where is she?”

“She and I had a fight and—”

“You always have a fight.”

Jase waited for no further interruption, “And she told me she was done with me. So she left. She packed her things and left.”

“To where?”

“She wouldn’t tell me.”

Ms. Cora dashed over to the telephone on the nearby stand. She made no hesitation as she began to spin the dial. “I’ll see if that Mr. Thomas has her.”

“He doesn’t. I made sure. Practically ransacked his apartment lookin’ for’er.”

Ms. Cora turned to Jase with a most frightened look. “Where is my Tessaline?” She flickered her eyes and brought a finger to her nose. “First Hugh, now her. Who next?”

“I did my best to make her stay. Honest.”

Ms. Cora responded with a sniff and a nod, “Mm, I’m sure you did. At least it was her choice. Well… I know I’ll have to tell the rest of them. But I think they’ve been hit with enough bad news for now.” She quickly gained composure and put on a stilted tone, “I want my children to eat.”

“Yeah.”

“Is that all you have to tell me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then I have a breakfast to resume.”

Ms. Cora left the hall. Lilian immediately felt awkward. Jase was staring at her as though he had worse news for her than what she’d already suffered.

“What is it, Jase?”

He stammered, “Um…” He slowly breathed to calm himself, “How are you?”

Lilian could see that he was working towards whatever he had to say. She played along. “Not good. Not since last night. You heard about the fire?”

Jase bent his head, “Yes.”

She nodded and wryly remarked, “I don’t think I’m a rich girl anymore.”

There was something in the way he responded to her statement with a slight squint that showed his solemn interest in what she was saying. “I see Paul’s not around. Funny— he never is.”

“It’s not so funny this time. Because he’s not coming back.”

Jase sighed piteously, “Right.”

Lilian embraced herself, looking back at the doors. “I cannot be here any longer. It’s- it’s too much.”

“I get it. You wanna take a stroll?” he offered her his hooked arm.

“Isn’t there something you wanted to tell me.”

Jase bit his lip nervously, “I can tell you while we walk.”

“But I have no coat.”

With that, Jase doffed his long, wool, frock coat and gently draped it over Lilian’s shoulders.

It happened slowly in Lilian’s mind. She took on the warmth and heaviness of his coat, as well as the smell. “Thank you.” Lilian slipped her arm around his, letting it be consumed in the crook of his arm. “Okay. Take me out.”

It was all about timing. It was going to take good discernment to know when to tell Lilian who Tess was to her. Jase continued to scan Lilian’s face. She seemed receptive. Possibly agreeable. He continued to make small talk before laying it on her so quickly. “Since the cat’s out of the bag now, may I ask you how you liked our performance?”

Lilian’s face lit up at the thought. “I loved it. Tessaline’s singing and dancing, and your skill. By the way, how did you do that?” Lilian raised her arm and slashed through the air to depict how Jase swung from the mezzanine.

“Oh, that?” He said, rolling his shoulders back. “It takes a lot of practice. I’ve been doing it since I was a boy.”

Lilian lightly patted his arm with her other hand, “I’m sure you did many things to be as big as you are.”

Jase laughed. “Actually, I was a junior blacksmith. I worked for my pa. I would’ve taken over if he hadn’t’ve sold our shop to fund his addiction.”

Lilian frowned for him, “Jase… that’s—”

“Terrible. I know.” He side-eyed her in faux regret. A smirk working its way to his face.

They both giggled.

“But seriously, that really is terrible.”

Jase shrugged, “I just try to be a better person than he was.” He cleared his throat, “I’m glad I could make you laugh even just a little.”

Lilian looked down at the pavement. She remembered what it felt like to laugh the night before. That night when Jase made an alluring spectacle of himself.

“Are you turning pink?”

Lilian immediately dropped her grin, “No.”

Jase kept teasing, “I think you are. Yes.”

Lilian tried to yank her arm out of his but remained attached as he tightened his muscles around it. His head lowered to her. She huffed angrily, “Stop it.”

“Wow. You’re pink when you’re shy, when you’re angry. You were pink last night, too.”

“I was not.”

Jase was heartily amused. “Stubborn Truit, you shouldn’t like to lie. You were. And you were happy.” Jase gazed at the girl. She now wore a simple, green plaid dress. But the image he saw was the immortal beauty in that dark espresso gown. He remembered the way her shawl fell from her shoulders. And the way she laughed with gleaming eyes. It had gripped his mind even all night while he was saddened by Tess’s abandonment. “You were… glowing.”

Lilian did not know what to say to that.

Jase’s pace slowed until he stopped walking. “I can’t wait any longer to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Lilian waited as Jase continued to open and shut his mouth, his eyes on the ground.

Then he looked up at her. “You remember when I spoke to you about the Truit rules regarding marriage.”

“Yes.”

“Well, those rules did ruin someone’s life.”

“Whose?”

“Tessaline’s.”

Lilian was confused, “Tessaline wanted to marry a Truit?”

“No. Tessaline is a Truit.”

Lilian slipped her arm out of his. He let her this time. “What are you saying?”

“Her mother married your father.”

“What do mean? You don’t even know my father.”

“I know more than you.”

Lilian’s eyelids flickered, “I don’t understand.”

“Your father, Felix Truit, eloped with a woman named Marian—”

“No. My mother’s name was—”

“You don’t share a mother Lilian, you share a father.”

Lilian’s heart stopped. “No— are you…? Are you saying my father was…? That’s absurd. My uncle would have told me.”

“I can’t say why he didn’t. But all I know is that I’ve had to work for the man. A man who, like the rest of the Truits, would not claim his own niece. And they didn’t have to either. She looked nothing like them.”

Lilian touched her temples and shook her head, “You're pulling my leg. This can’t be true.”

Jase frowned. “She thought you’d say that. She knew you wouldn’t believe. But it’s true, whether you believe it or not. Now, I just thought I’d tell you. You can do whatever you wish with that information.”

Jase kept walking past Lilian. She stood there still trying to work it out in her mind. Then she remembered her dream and it dawned on her. The man she saw. He wasn’t her uncle. He was her father. Tess’s father. “Jase!”

Jase stopped.

“If what you say is true, then I just lost a sister.”

Jase turned around, “I… yes. I’m sorry I never told you. It was all to protect myself. I didn’t want Tess to know that I’d been let go.”

Lilian’s face dimmed, “But then she knew. And she knew I was her sister, too. Didn’t she?”

“She was afraid to tell you, Lilian.”

“Afraid?” she snapped. “It seems everyone’s afraid to tell me the truth. What is there to be afraid of? All I tried to be was her friend. Why wouldn’t I be happy to find out she’s my sister? She was the one who kept pushing me away. She did not even say goodbye to me.”

“Tess is like that—”

“Because Tessaline never wanted to be my sister. And if that’s the case, then sobeit.” Lilian looked up at him, “Aren’t you mad, too? She left you.”

Jase stepped closer to Lilian. “Of course I am. But you can only be so mad for so long.” He touched her coat-hidden shoulder. “Let’s keep walking.”

Winter 1885

Jan 1

Fireworks blaze in the midnight sky and everyone marvels at the colorful show as the sparks mix together then disperse into the night. The medley of the harpist is muted and forgotten thanks to the thrilling screams and pops the fireworks make. Lovers embrace on the edge of the Brier Hill Estate’s balcony. The colors illuminate on their skin, painting the people blue, purple, red, and green.

Anyone without a romantic plus one is inside the ballroom, enjoying their wine and discussing business. Felix keeps to the corner by the buffet. He takes samples of the punch while keening his ears to the music. He doesn't want to be here. But Marian did shout at him to go, didn’t she? And he was sure she meant it.

Fredrick and his wife come in from the balcony. “Happy New Year, brother.”

“Happy New Year,” Felix returns. “And to you too, Krishta.”

Krishta rolls her eyes and turns her head away. “I think I’ll go over there.”

Felix eyes his brother as Krishta walks away. “She still hates me, huh?”

“Despises more like.”

“I think that’s worse.”

Freddy fills a glass with punch. “Why isn’t Marian here?”

“Freddy, do I really have to answer that? You know my singleness is my image. And anyway, I don’t want myself here, why would I want my wife here.”

“Why are you here at all? You should be home on this night— morning, sorry— celebrating with your wife and child.”

“My wife doesn’t want me home.”

Freddy gives his brother a dry look, “Come on, Felix. Do you actually believe that?”

Felix frowns. “No. I don’t. But I think it’s best. Every time I am around her we can’t seem to have peace.”

“That’s called a problem, Felix. And you don’t solve it by going to parties. You know, you're so lucky to have a child to keep you occupied. I’d love nothing more than an excuse to stay home with Krishta.”

“Except I don’t have an excuse.” Felix tips his glass toward the community, “At least they don’t think I do.”

Freddy sighs, “Yes. I wonder why that is.” His face shows full displeasure.

Felix ignores his brother as their mother approaches, her shoes clacking on the marble floor. She used to be a porcelain doll, but now she is a scary old femme. Her hair, peeking grey, pulled back, and braided over and over in the back of her head. She stares at her sons over round, silver spectacles. “Felix, my boy. I believe you are idle.”

“I’m afraid so, Mother.”

“Well I am afraid there is another here who is quite idle.”

“Who?”

“Lady Agapov.”

“Mother—”

“She is a very well-bred young lady. Intelligent, too. I have enjoyed our many discussions. You know she speaks—”

“Seven languages. Yes. You’ve told me.”

Ms. Truit purses her lips, “Do you know how embarrassed you’ve made me each time I have to tell her that my son, her suitor, is somehow always out?”

“Mother—”

“Shut it. I will not hear another excuse. You have avoided me for four years now. Well this is a new year, and you have no excuse.”

Freddy steps in, “Um, actually mother, about that. Felix has something to tell you.”

The old woman glances at Freddy, then her eyes zero in on her oldest son, “Well?”

The look Felix shoots his brother could kill. “I just…” He relaxes his shoulders, “I think I am a little rusty on my charms, Mother.”

Ms. Truit laughs. “That is the funniest most unfunny thing you have ever said.” The woman nearly tears up. “I’m sure whatever charms you’ve lost will soon find you. Now, stop wasting my precious time and get over there and talk to Miss Agapov.”

Felix does his mother only a moment of hesitation, then starts to walk, ignoring Freddy’s judging stare. He finds Lady Agapov on the balcony still while the others are all inside. Her back faces him. He is silent, noticing the way her person fits the regal scene like the star of a painting. Rose vines hang from the roof and curl against the stone walls, framing her body. The north star blesses her plump skin with its light.

The back of her silky black hair is looped around itself to make a set of bows going down her head and ending in curls. The dress she wears is certainly one of Charles Worth’s design, marked by its simplicity. It is red velvet with a giant bow sewn directly over her bustle area. Gilded gold fabric lines the bottom of the skirt. Short sleeves ruffle along the edge of her shoulders.

He steps closer behind her.

“Dant! comeny closer.”

“Lady Agapov.”

“Do not speak to me.”

This isn’t going well. Felix bows his head, knowing she doesn’t see it. “I understand. I wouldn’t speak to me either,” he murmurs to himself. Then he has an idea. “Krasavitsa, dusha-devitsa,” he sings, “Polyubi zhe ty menya.” Lady Agapov raises her head to the familiar song. Her body seems to still in response and he fancies himself safe to approach. “Ay-lyuli, lyuli, ay-lyuli, lyuli.” Felix stops by her ear and whispers, “Polyubi zhe ty menya.”

Lady Agapov spins around with a scorn, gripping the balustrade behind her. Her round eyes stare up into his, “Vut do you vant from me?”

Felix smirks, his charm instinctively kicking in, “More time.”

“Ha! More time? Vit me?”

He leans into her. “With you.”

Her eyes widen. She turns away from him, “I can’t imagine vut changed your mind.”

“It never changed.”

“Oh, let’s not pretend you haven’t done all you can to avoid me. And let’s not pretend your mother didn’t send you over here to see me.”

“Okay. I’ll admit. I have been childish. But I now realize I should have given you a chance. So this is me trying.”

“Singing Kalinka to me is your idea of trying?”

“It’s a start.” He reaches to her shoulder and gently picks at her sleeve, “I can try harder.”

Lady Apapov flinches, turning to him again, “You are a different breed, Mister Truit.”

“Thank you.”

Her lip curls, “I dant trust you.” She brings her face closer to his, “I’ve heard rrrumors,” her r rolling tight for emphasis.

Felix puts his face even closer, “What rrrumors have you heard?”

“I heard dat you are married. Is dat true?”

Felix looks to the ground. He knows his answer to that will decide his nobility. As much he wants to disbelieve it, he loves Marian. But what is his wife giving him, now? She is always asking him, pleading that he stay home while knowing what obligations call him away. And when he returns, not so much as a hand kiss is allowed. Felix is ready to be loved. He is ready to chase again. And Lady Agapov is a divine beauty. She is as plump and ripe as a tomato. And with her father, Sir Agapov’s status, she has become highly valued by many young men. What a thrill it would be to win her hand. What a prize.

“You're right. I was married. But not any more. She was not who I thought she was.”

“And vut if I am not vut you expect me to be.”

“Hehe, I doubt you can be any less of who you are right now.”

“Mm, true. Because I am not a fool. And if dat’s vut you expect of me, you vill be disappointed.”

“Of course, milady.”

She squints long and hard before saying, “I’ll give you a chance. Vun chance,” she holds up a pinky.

“You won’t reget it.” He takes her wrist and plants a slow kiss on her hand. A pinkish hue, rising to the surface of her skin.

She pulls it away. “But no more unpermitted caress. Understood?” And taking up her skirt, she walks inside the ballroom.

Felix smiles mischievously, “We’ll see about that.”

Lilian ceased her walk.

Jase turned around, “Why are you stopping?”

Her lips straightened. “I think we should walk the other way.”

Jase looked ahead. He soon realized the cause for her hesitation. They were at the site of the fire. An apartment building within some feet wore a black streaking of ash and sod on its side. The brick had charred and crumbled. A few windows on random floors were broken with burnt sills and shutters.

“The fire ate away at everything inside.”

“You think there’s a chance any of your stuff survived?”

“I do not. And I would not like to entertain the idea.”

Jase turned up a challenging smirk. “Would you entertain me? Come on, let's look together.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore, Jase. I accept my loss.”

“No you don't,” he denied. “I see your anger.”

“My anger?”

“Yup. You are full of it today.”

Lilian pursed her lips, “I am not angry.”

“Who are you angry at? Tess? Paul?”

“No,” Lilian strongly dismissed.

“Then who?”

“Nobody.”

“Well, why are you angry, then?”

“I am not! Leave me alone!” Lilian gasped in shock at her broken composure.

Jase simply crossed his arms. “So, what is it?”

Lilian sighed. She knew exactly why she was angry. As she thought about it, she bunched up her skirt with one hand. Her eyes tingled. She stamped her foot against the pavement resentfully and looked away from him. “I’m angry that everything is falling apart. That I can’t seem to keep the things that matter to me.” She shut her eyes, and the tear came tracing down her cheek. “Ever since I came of age, I thought it meant my life would be even better than it already was. But no. I didn’t know it would suddenly get worse. And I wasn’t prepared for any of it. I’ve lost the only picture on hand of my uncle. I’m all alone. And I don’t know what in El’s name I’m doing here!” Lilian raised her last complaint to the sky.

“There it is,” Jase said, raising his eyebrows.

Lilian swallowed and looked at him, “What?”

“The one you’re mad at.”

She couldn’t protest.

Jase took a step closer, “You can’t let this stop you. You gotta take all the chance you got.” He pointed up at the building, “I say we give it a shot. Just a few minutes to see if there’s anything. Anything at all.”

“Jase, why do you even care?”

“Because you did. For me. I owe it to you.”

Lilian looked to the apartment building. “Together?”

“Mm, hm.”

“And we can leave whenever I choose?”

“Whenever you choose?”

Lilian looked again. She said nothing as she passed under the soiled awning and then inside. Jase was behind her, going up the steps.

They had no business being in such a place. Wooden supporters and hardened plaster from the ceiling now hung down and piled in a crumbly mess. An open ceiling, above, where the second floor could be espied. Broken glass covered a third of the stairs in fault of a fractured sconce.

“Wait.” At once, a meaty arm stretched over Lilian and onto the wall beside her. She pressed her back to the wall as he filled the space. Lilian’s eyes followed up his arm to his face. His honey eye. “Stay behind me,” he said. And there was no fuss made about it. He slowly marched upward.

The debris held remnant of the smokey fumes that had filled the building. Lilian discovered by accident another effluvium as it entered her nose. She used Jase’s coat to filter her airway.

“Argh, do you smell that?” Jase coughed into his sleeve.

Lilian nodded, “What is it?”

They kept going up in ignoration to their noses. At the summit, Jase’s body paused suspiciously.

“What is it, Jase?”

As Lilian came closer up the steps, he spun around, “Lilian, close your eyes!”

“Why?” But it was too late. She could see over his shoulder to the crispy legs that peeked out from underneath a pile of burnt lath and plaster from the ceiling. The melted rubber shoes, still on the feet.

Lilian hardly heard herself scream, she was so in shock. Then the world panned down, and everything began to fade to black. She felt Jase’s hands steadying her.

“Steady now,” she heard him say. “I’ll get you out of here. Come on.” He kept his hand on her shoulder, carefully guiding her down the stairs to the door. Once outside, Jase sat Lilian on a bench and checked to see how she was. “Everything fine with you?” his hands hovered near her face. “What was I thinking, taking you in there?”

Lilian could only blink under the lightheadedness. That could have been me, her thoughts repeated.

“I hope you can forgive me, ma’am.”

Jase’s plea made Lilian’s head clear, “No, Jase. It's not your fault.” Her gaze was on the ground. “I’m the one who needs forgiveness. You’re right. I was angry. At El.” Lilian shook her head. “I have been so selfish, worried about my stuff. People died in there. Real people. And by El’s will I was saved. Because… you,” she brought her black eyes to his. “You invited me to the inn.”

Jase didn’t know how to respond. Was it really El’s will that he invited Lillian? Of course not. It was his own. “It was luck that saved you, Lilian. The rest weren’t as lucky.”

Lilian continued to frown, “Wherever I go, death follows,” she murmured. “I have to go home.”

“I’ll take you back if you feel better.”

“No, I mean home. Corlu. It’s all I can do now. I have to go all the way back to tell my aunt that her niece is a failure.”

“How are you gonna do that? I thought you lost all your money.”

“I have around fifty spare on me.” Lilian realized by the way Jase’s eyebrows shot up that she should have only said she had “enough”. Still, she found herself feeling generous. “Jase, do you have anything sharp?”

Jase slid his hand into the pocket of his pants. He took out a swiss-army knife, moving his thumb over it to unfold the blade. “I do. Why?”

Lilian extended her hand, “May I?”

He placed the knife inside. She peered down at the wool layer covering her leg, but looked back at him as she noticed he was watching. “Um, If you could close your eyes, please...”

Jase wasn’t sure what her idea was, but reluctantly closed his eyes. Usually, Lilian would never have held a blade up to a perfectly good pair of stockings. But at this moment there was no stocking room around, and Lilian frankly did not care anymore. As discreetly as she could, she lifted the back of her skirt and felt for her thigh. Then pinching the fabric in one hand, she reached under and tore a slit to where the stash of 10 dollar bills was located. The pressure was too much, leaving Lilian surprised by the sharpness of the blade as her hand drew down from her thigh to her calf quicker than she could control. Graces!

Lilian set her fluster aside, slipping out the money. “Here’s your knife back.”

“What did you need it for?”

“Don’t worry about it. Here.” She slapped the 20 bucks she counted into his open palm.

Jase didn’t dare close his fingers around it. “What’s this for?”

“That should be enough to cover you rent.”

He immediately shook his head and forced the paper money back at her, “I can’t take this.”

She pushed his hand back toward his chest. “Please take it. You need it, Jase. You don’t have enough time to come up with that on your own.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just know.”

He still argued against it, “Even still, I can’t take money from a lady. What kind of a man would I be?”

“A man with money.”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the gesture, but it just ain’t right.” He snatched up her hand and jammed the paper inside it, then folded her fingers around it with his insistent strength.

But she was not letting him go that easy. In a spur of emotion, she stood up and threw herself at him. She embraced him with an arm going round his torso. The other, holding the money at his chest. Words couldn’t describe what she unintentionally inflicted upon herself as she took to him. He still reeked, but she hardly had the time to notice. Her cheek lain still at his vest. Lilian could not bring herself to look up at his face. His coat had dropped from her shoulders, leaving her as exposed to the cold as he. But the warmth it gave her was soon replaced by his hands at her back.

“Please, Jase.” She was begging now. “We all need help sometimes. You do not deserve the misfortune that’s befallen you.”

His fingers innately pressed into her spine.

She continued, “You’re a good man, Jase.” To that, she felt his body shudder.

“Goodness,” He said. “How? How are you so sug’ry?” He put his hand on hers, the one she had at his chest. “Ah, alright. For your sake I'll take it.” Jase moved Lilian off himself and put the money in his vest pocket. His eyes leveled to hers. “You’re no failure, Lilian. I can see your uncle raised you well.”

Lilian grinned and turned in the direction of Ms. Cora’s, then turned back to Jase. “You know, I think I will miss you, Mister Jase.”

“I think so too, Miss Lilian.”

She walked ahead. And Jase blushed with gratitude, peering down at the large hole in her calf.

This Miss Lilian couldn’t be any more irritating. Ethel had about enough of her sulking. And now she returned after walking with the most handsome man in Brord, saying she would leave! Ethel had hoped the girl wasn’t stupid enough to overlook Jase. Something should work to keep her around. How would they ever find Hugh, now?

For the rest of the afternoon, Ethel watched the girl walk around, doing absolutely nothing and speaking to no one. If she decided on leaving she ought to give Ethel back her clothes. And her bed. Ethel had paid good money for that green dress. It was relatively new. Only to have it take on someone else’s scent and sweat and whatever else was on the girl.

Also, considering the fact that she is a girl, Ethel had easily developed a disdain for her the moment she showed up in her mature clothes which unspokenly required mature undergarments. Ethel was still considered that thing that comes before a lady; a young lady. So she still wore skirts at calf-length, a simply silhouetted corset, and pigtails with cotton ribbons at their ends. Jealousy may have played a part in her fury.

Lilian probably noticed how brash Ethel’s attitude was. And that was nothing Ethel meant to shy away from. All the better that she feels her simmering rage. I hope she sleeps with my shadow looming by the bed tonight, Ethel thought. Because I won’t be sleepin’ no better.

But at some point Ethel got tired of lurking in vigilance over Lilian. She retreated outside to bring in the laundry. Down from the line she unclipped each article and plopped it into the basket. This was something she enjoyed doing. As was the case with all of her volunteer duties. But she was finally feeling the drudgery of it.

Thoughts of Hugh and his innocent silver eyes took over her mind as her hands continued their job. Ethel wished at the pit of her heart she hadn't been so mean to him. The boy needed her. He needed anyone with working eyes. Though he often seemed capable thanks to Shersul’s gift. Sometimes Hugh was the only one who spoke to Ethel. And they would carry the deepest conversations even for his age.

She missed him direly. It was taking everything in her not to panic. “I’ll find you, Hugh. And when I do, I will be better to you.”

Taking a child’s shirt off the line, she discovered two eyes there. Ethel jumped, “Pete! Why did you have to stand there?” Ethel knew by his face that he had returned with bad news. “You didn’t see him?”

“No sign of him. I looked everywhere, lass.” His unibrow lowered remorsefully over his eyes. “I tried.”

“You didn’t try hard enough.”

“Lass.”

“No bread for you tomorrow.” This worked as a threat because Pete always loved Ethel’s baking. She would give him bread and sometimes pastries as a charity while he worked at the inn. “Go on, get!” she shooed him away.

After taking in the laundry, Ethel was told to make tea for Miss Lilian before she went to bed. Ethel made a nice valerian brew. She brought the tea and cup on a tray up to her room. Lilian and Ms. Cora were having a talk about Lilian leaving. Lilian was saying something about how her life had turned upside-down, and how she failed her aunt. Of course, Ethel thought. Woe is you.

Ms. Cora was being far too aquiescent in Ethel’s opinion. Too nice, too patient. How could Ms. Cora pretend they did not need Lilian’s help? They had no time to waste.

“If it was in fact your aunt’s idea to come to Brord, then she must have seen something in you that you don't see in yourself,” Ms. Cora said as she brought her hand onto Lilian’s. “Parents and guardians alike— we always expect our children to fall but never fail.”

“That…” Lilian said, “That makes me feel better. Thank you. But alas, I have no choice now than to return home.”

“Really? No choice? Everyone has to start somewhere in life on their own.” Ms. Cora addressed Ethel who was pouring the tea, “Ethel here is your age and already has learned the lesson of survival.”

Lilian smiled, “And that is commendable, Ms. Cora, but I know my aunt may want me home rather than on my own.”

Ms. Cora nodded, “I understand. Any mother-figure would want their child to be safe.”

Lilian frowned, suddenly feeling awful. “I’m sure you do understand. After all, you have a boy missing. You must be so worried.”

Ethel rolled her eyes at Lilian’s sentiment. “Will that be one cube or two, Miss Lilian?” Lilian answered two, and so Ethel plopped in the sugar cubes in such a nonchalant manner that tea droplets spilled onto the tray. Ms. Cora chose not to correct her this time, though Ethel knew it irked her.

“Yes, well, no matter how worried I am, I have to trust that El is taking care of Hugh while I can not,” Ms. Cora continued. “And I strive to display that example of trust to the children.”

Ethel couldn’t take much more of this. She refused to sit by and trust in something no one’s ever seen. El did not stop Hugh from being taken, and he could not bring him back.

“I just wish I could be sure that El is looking after me,” Lilian said.

IS IT ALL ABOUT YOU?!!

Ms. Cora said no more except that it was time for her to retire to her room. The woman got up and left with a goodnight, to Ethel’s relief. Now she could start getting to the business she meant to.

“Should I fluff your pillow, Miss Lilian.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

Ethel waited as Lilian raised her back. Then, slipping her hand behind the pillow, she beat it against Lilian’s back.

“Ow!”

Ethel shook her head, “Dramatic.”

“Why did you do that? Why are you being so mean to me?”

This was it. All of Ethel’s fury was let out in a dragged huff, “Because! There is a little blind boy missing, and you have the nerve to talk about leaving.”

“I don’t mean to sound careless, but what does that have to do with me?”

Ethel’s expression became more excited, “Are you kidding? Do I really have to say it?”

Lilian sat there silent and confused.

“You have a gift, don’t you?” Ethel finally said. “Hugh said you did, and Hugh is never wrong.”

Lilian blinked in remembrance of how Ms. Cora had asked her to help find Hugh, and how she shooed the old woman away. “You think my gift can help you?”

“If anyone can, it's you.”

“But you don’t understand. I can only see the winds. Unless… you think a wind stole Hugh.”

“It had to been that. Hugh would never just leave.”

Lilian shook her head, “Are you sure about that?”

“Why? What do you know?”

“Ms. Cora told me something the other night. She said Hugh had dreamt of leaving since he could… walk.”

Ethel could see the sparks setting off in Lilian’s brain. “What did you just realize?”

“That night. The procession. The voice.”

“Speak English.”

“Ethel, tell me. Is there any reason Hugh would want to leave?”

“Leave? I- I don’t know. Wait. I did hear him once say something about going where Shersul goes.”

Lilian nodded, “So that’s it.”

“What’s it?”

“There was a procession of people last night. People with torches leading out of the city. The officer said they claimed to hear a call. He thought they were mad because he didn’t hear it himself. But I heard it. It rattled my bones. Someone was leading them. And I think I know who. It had to be Shersul.”

“And you think Hugh was in that procession?”

“Well, I can’t be sure. But it’s the only clue we have.”

“So if that’s true, then we need to find Shersul.”

Lilian remembered her tea, and began to sip it before it cooled.

Ethel stared at her impatiently, “I said, ‘we have to find Shersul.’”

“I hope you don’t expect me to be a part of this. I have to get home.”

“Can’t you think of anyone other than yourself? You said you didn’t want to be a failure. Do you really want to be the girl that didn’t go after a lost, helpless boy just so you could return to your cozy mansion?”

Lilian considered her words as she looked at her reflection in the teacup.

“I need you, Lilian. I promise I won’t do another mean thing in my life if we find this boy. Please.”

“Ethel, I wish I could help. But I haven’t the slightest idea where Shersul could be. I also have not heard El speak to me in days. Usually, if I’m meant to be somewhere, the Elwind will guide me there.”

Ethel frowned. “What if this time El wants you to make the first move? Isn’t that possible?”

Lilian could spot worry in Ethel’s tone. Could see just how much she wanted her to stay. So, turning her head to look out the window, she made herself remember what she saw that night. “Shersul moved west to leave town. There is a possibility he carried on that way.” She smiled endearingly, “He always emphasized his adoration for straight paths.”

“Then we’ll go west. Tomorrow.”

Lilian turned back to Ethel, “We? As in you too?”

“Of course. Why, I’ll freeze outside before anyone saves Hugh without me.”

“A noble claim. But what about your duty here?”

“Ms. Cora will definitely understand this. Anything that has to do with the children is my duty.”

“We can’t just leave anyway. We don't have the paraphernalia for such a trip.”

Ethel was practically offended. “You let me worry about the paraphernalia. I assure you we have just about everything you could need.” She frowned, “Although, we would need a means of travel. Ms. Cora ain’t got no carriage.”

Lilian raised a hand, “I know someone who does.”