Her second realization was that this was exactly what she’d just done herself. She’d changed reality—in ways she didn’t even yet know—by putting a book into the Great Library. She’d done it with no authorization, no ritual: nothing. And what’s more, she’d done it with a book that the Diberi were bound to approve of, and everyone here in Truelove House was not. What was wrong with her? Every time she came to the Otherworld she made things a little bit worse.

Effie sighed deeply. All the mistakes she’d made. It was too late to do anything about them now. The only thing she could do was to go home, back to the Realworld, and try to stop the Diberi once and for all, not that she knew how to do that.

As Effie walked down the stairs to the entrance hall of Truelove House the enormity of everything she’d done settled on her shoulders like a heavy dark cloak. Who was she? She didn’t even know anymore. But she had to make things right. Although maybe it was too late even for that. Maybe what she’d done could never be put right. Effie sighed. Well, at least she could do something about Terrence Deer-Hart and his stupid book.

She walked out through the conservatory doors, wondering if this was the last time she’d ever see them.

The guards in the gatehouse usually only spoke to Effie on the way into Truelove House. Sometimes she got a brief “Welcome, miss.” Occasionally, if it was a new guard, a request to see her calling card. They’d never spoken to her as she’d been leaving Truelove House. But today one of them came out of the gatehouse and nodded at her, just as she was about to open the large wrought iron gate.

“An invitation for you, miss,” he said.

He handed Effie a cream-colored envelope with gold trim.

“Thank you,” said Effie, taking it from him.

She went through the gates and set off in the direction of the portal that would take her back to the Realworld, where she could try to put right everything she’d done wrong.

“Aren’t you going to open that, miss?” the guard called after her.

“Yes,” said Effie. “I’ll do it when I get home.”

“Suit yourself, miss,” said the guard.

Of course, Effie already knew that whatever she was being invited to, she wouldn’t be able to go. She wouldn’t be able to do anything or see anyone in the Otherworld until she’d made things right. But she would. She’d find a way. She tucked the invitation in her bag and set off toward the portal on Keepers’ Plains.

18