Effie glanced at the sheet of paper. It was the results of a kharakter consultation. Effie could see that Rollo was exactly the same as she was: a protector with a leaning toward galloglass. So that was why. It had never been about her. It was Rollo’s fears about himself that had been his problem.

Clothilde appeared with a large slice of cake and a glass of fizzy fourflower water, both of which she gave to Effie.

“I’m so pleased you finally know,” she said. “It’s been driving me mad. I just wanted to tell you to go in the Flow rather than worrying about deepwater or playing tennis with the ring on. But you can’t tell people. It ruins the whole thing.”

“Apparently now you can tell people,” said Effie.

“Yes, well, that’s going to take some getting used to. But luckily there aren’t any more young people around that need initiating after you lot. You were the last of the Dragon’s Green kids to go in the Flow. So while you’re here studying, the rest of us can just focus on looking after the library and keeping the Diberi out. Pelham says there’s one left from this recent batch, although she’s pretty harmless. But we hear that there might be a new threat developing in London.”

“We can deal with it,” said Effie.

“The Mainland Liberation Collective have been driven out of Frog Hole at long last,” said Clothilde. “And Millicent Wiseacre is being sent to the island in disgrace.”

“Great,” said Effie. “I hope I don’t run into her there.”

“Oh yes—I forgot about that possibility!” said Clothilde. “Anyway, don’t think about her now. Let’s just focus on the celebration.”

Effie looked around the room. There were Cosmo, Rollo and Bertie chatting happily together. Pelham Longfellow was going to join them soon. And there were Effie’s new classmates—or whatever she was supposed to call them. She once again admired the beautiful cheekbones, the cats’ ears, fur and all the other ways they had made themselves look distinctive and interesting. She sensed the pure lightness that seemed to surround each one of them.

“I can’t believe I once thought that people weren’t doing much magic in the Otherworld,” Effie said. “I can see it now, though. Everything’s made of magic, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Clothilde. “It’s how we can look the way we want, and live where we want. It’s why everything’s so beautiful. And you know now that we get more power the more we give to others. That’s why there’s no need for money here. And why so many people choose to serve others—like Bertie. I can’t believe you once thought she was a maid! She’s one of the most powerful elysians in this whole area. She mentors me.”