. The wagon started with a jolt and Marshall slapped the reins gently on the horses' backs, encouraging them to

u mean?" Ar

deliberately try

tale, Marshall," Arthur scoffed derisive

enough you're bringing more humans into the h

es. "Afraid she'll c

errible tales they were. Women with flaming red hair, chanting and casting spells as they danc

like a dithering old woman, Marshall.

my mother

ood runs within your veins, an

ack of the wagon. Sophia had insisted on joining Kristen and Maya in the back of the wago

ia has taken a

gued in a low voice. "Tonight, after Sophia falls asleep, I'll take her to the out

," Arthur said. "If the fairies don't ca

e never seen you bend so easi

r she barely knows is taking her to a home she does not rememb

ard look. "I value your opinion

underst

chickens and using their blood to write spells

ne. When that happe

ophia. "How old

from Kristen's

And can you r

her head. "

rhaps I could teach you

e brother you know.

is Nicholas

oons old. He'

Kristen. "What k

oughs a lot. He's always throwing up his milk. Mrs. Lanning says it

Lanning. She has bad breath, and she says mean things about my moth

factly. "She had a friend who was a

bbed her back, and Sophia lea

miss her v

d in closer, resting her head in the curve of Kristen's

e you ar

er nose. "You sme

I know I do. Perhaps when we get t

k to our campsite. Marshall says it will b

re but I don't remember it. Arthur says I'll like it. He says the

id he would buy me a po

sure I'll like living

wonderful place to live, young mi

t beautiful country home. I've missed it. I'm s

had a thin and mousy face, and she sighed dramatica

city too,"

to trouble in the first place. All of those people crowded into

nto the old cities like cattle. Three-quarters of the population

mouth dropped op

gnantly. "Our father took us

not, Kr

sten nodde

ired girl, Kristen thought her name was Nadine, said critically. "Your h

her hair had fallen out." The mousey girl nu

e, Renee." Ma

ey had these small canisters attached to them that gave us our air. That'

all the buildings were. They blotted out the sun. A lot of them had crumbled to the ground. Fat

moved about. Although the sun shone brightly, no plants were growi

ou there? What if you had g

t for knowledge, particularly about the ancients' lives, and he wanted to share it with u

crazy." Ren

risten smiled. "Ay

in the city." Renee sighed. "The lights are so pretty

do you know of the parties? Yo

ook. "I pleased him well, and in return, he showered m

red at her. "You still ended up being sold when t

ing to the country, I'll never hear m

not far from his home," Sophia s

aps, young miss. But I wou

city? Why, before Mrs. Farthing sold me, there were five people in the city not five miles from our home that went missing all in one night. Of course, no one k

n's arms and she squeezed the little g

ded briefly on Kristen before he scanned the res