t me walk out

red the whole

shoved-gently but firmly-into the backseat of one, sandwiched betwe

anything. They

thought they

very few seconds to look at me, like I'd vanish if she blinked. Her ma

to tell her she

aid no

. Clean streets. Stone buildings. Banners fluttering from balconies. Somewher

ere I

ped in someon

people. Traffic parted like the sea for us. T

n't just

was p

-

g at th

ers in ceremonial armor that gleamed under the moonlight. Ivy curled around black iron, and the gold

. Or cry. Or mayb

gates

drove t

rved with ancient lions, marble steps leading to tall pillars and glass-paneled doors.

ar stopped, the

ards. M

thunder announced, "His Ro

't talking

epped ou

moldings, chandeliers big enough to crush a car, floors so p

bloodline. Everything was soft-every chair, every step, every look cast

dg

sur

f I remembered w

alert: I

n't know which fork went where, or who to nod to, or how to walk like

t trip. I d

asked if I nee

bath. And maybe.

ave me

rt