A week later, Charlotte stands in front of Adelia's house—mansion—jaw hanging open.

  "This is where you live?" She stares up at the enormous white building with blue trim. "I walk past here every day. I thought it belonged to a millionaire."

  Adelia laughs. "Well, I suppose I am fairly well-off. Come on, let's go inside. I want you to meet my children."

  Inside, the house is even more impressive. High ceilings, gleaming floors, rooms that seem endless. A painting on the wall moves—the woman in it turning to smile at Charlotte. A vase of flowers rearranges itself, petals shifting colors.

  Charlotte's palms start to prickle. She clenches her fists.

  "The children are in the garden." Adelia leads Charlotte through a hallway toward French doors at the back. "They're excited to meet you."

  Charlotte doubts that. Nobody is ever excited to meet her.

  They step outside into a sprawling garden. Neat rows of vegetables stretch toward fruit trees heavy with produce, and in the middle of it all, three kids are working.

  A girl about Charlotte's age stands on a ladder, picking apples and dropping them into a basket. She has straight blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and moves with easy confidence. A teenage boy—tall, with dark hair and broad shoulders—hauls full baskets toward the house. A little boy, maybe seven, picks berries but seems more interested in eating them.

  "Aki! Broc! Bainto!" Adelia calls. "Come meet Charlotte."

  The three kids turn. Charlotte's stomach clenches.

  The girl—Aki—climbs down from her ladder and bounces over, wiping her hands on her jeans. "Hi! You're Charlotte, right? Mama's told us all about you. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited you're here! We're gonna be roommates at Aelwynne, and it's gonna be amazing, and—"

  "Aki." The teenage boy's voice is patient. "Breathe."

  "Right! Sorry!" Aki grins. "I'm Aki. That's Broc—he's thirteen and super smart but also super boring sometimes. And that's Bainto over there, still eating all the berries."

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  "Am not!" the little boy shouts, mouth stained purple.

  Aki laughs. "You totally are." She turns back to Charlotte, eyes bright. "Do you wanna help? We're almost done for the day, but it's actually pretty fun once you get into it."

  "I—" Charlotte's voice comes out as a whisper. She clears her throat. "I don't know how."

  "That's totally okay! I can show you. It's super easy." Aki reaches out as if to take Charlotte's hand.

  Charlotte jerks back. The prickling in her palms intensifies. "Don't—don't touch me."

  Aki's smile falters. "Oh. Okay. Sorry."

  "Aki," Broc says quietly. "Give her some space."

  "I was just trying to be friendly!"

  "I know. But she just got here." Broc looks at Charlotte, and something in his expression softens. "You look exhausted. Do you want to go inside? Mama probably has food ready."

  Charlotte nods gratefully.

  Inside, Adelia sets out plates at a large kitchen table. "Sit wherever you'd like, Charlotte."

  Charlotte chooses a seat at the end of the table, as far from everyone else as possible. She sets her hands in her lap, pressing them together to stop the prickling.

  The other kids file in, Bainto chattering about berries, Aki quiet now, Broc washing his hands at the sink. They sit down, and Adelia brings over a platter of sandwiches and fruit.

  "Eat." Adelia's voice is gentle. "You must be hungry."

  Charlotte isn't hungry. Her stomach is a tight knot of anxiety and grief. But she takes a sandwich anyway, picking at the edges.

  "So," Aki says, clearly trying again. "Mama said you're starting at Aelwynne next week. Are you excited? I mean, I know it's probably scary and everything, but it's actually really cool once you get used to it. The castle is huge, and there's this library that's like five stories tall, and—"

  "Aki," Broc interrupts. "Maybe let her eat."

  "I'm just trying to talk to her!"

  "I know. But—"

  "It's fine." Charlotte's voice is quiet. Everyone looks at her. "I'm just tired."

  "Of course you are." Adelia's smile is understanding. "After dinner, I'll show you to your room. You can rest."

  Dinner passes in uncomfortable silence. Charlotte can feel Aki watching her, can sense the younger girl's confusion and hurt. She wants to explain—that she's not trying to be rude, that she's just scared and sad and overwhelmed. But the words won't come.

  After dinner, Adelia leads Charlotte upstairs to a small guest room. It's pretty—pale blue walls, a comfortable-looking bed, a window overlooking the garden.

  "The bathroom is just down the hall." Adelia pauses in the doorway. "If you need anything, my room is at the end. Aki's room is next door if you want company."

  Charlotte nods.

  Adelia hesitates. "Charlotte, I know this is hard. I know you're grieving and scared. But you're safe here. And my children—they're good kids. Give them a chance."

  After Adelia leaves, Charlotte sits on the edge of the bed. She cries for Mark and Malina, for her old life, for the normal childhood she'll never have. She cries until her eyes burn and her throat aches and she has no tears left.

  Then she lies down, still fully dressed, and stares at the ceiling until exhaustion finally pulls her under.