Clearly, Ariadne didn’t know that much about the Lightwoods. Usually, when one’s demon-loving relative develops a serious case of demon pox and turns into a giant worm with massive teeth, word gets around. People will talk.

“It’s true,” Anna said, now examining the gilded edge of a writing desk. “He ate one of my uncles.”

“You are funny,” Ariadne said to Anna.

“I’m glad you think so,” Anna replied.

“Your brother’s eyes are quite extraordinary,” Ariadne noted.

Anna heard this a good deal. Christopher’s eyes were lavender in color.

“Yes,” Anna said. “He’s the good-looking one in the family.”

“I quite disagree!” Ariadne exclaimed, looking surprised. “Gentlemen must compliment you all the time on the shade of your eyes.”

Then Ariadne blushed and looked down, and Anna’s heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t possible, she told herself. There was simply no chance that the Inquisitor’s beautiful daughter was … like her. That she would look at another girl’s eyes and note their color as lovely instead of simply asking her what fabrics she wore to bring out their shade best.

“I’m afraid I am quite behind on my training,” Ariadne said. “Perhaps we could … train together?”

“Yes,” Anna said, maybe too quickly. “Yes … of course. If you …”

“You may find me clumsy.” Ariadne twisted her hands together.

“I’m sure I won’t,” Anna said. “But that is the point of training, in any case. It is a delicate thing, training, despite the obvious violence, of course.”

“You will have to be delicate with me, then,” Ariadne said very softly.

Just as Anna thought she might faint, the doors opened and Inquisitor Bridgestock came in, with Cecily, Gabriel, and Christopher in tow. The Lightwoods looked vaguely exhausted. Anna was conscious of her mother’s eyes on her—a sharp and thoughtful look.

“… and we have our map collection … ah. Ariadne. Still in here, of course. Ariadne is a fiendish reader.”

“Absolutely fiendish.” Ariadne smiled. “Anna and I were just discussing my training. I thought it would be sensible to partner with another girl.”

“Very sensible,” Bridgestock said. “Yes. A very good idea. You shall be partners. Anyway, Lightwood, we’ll look at the maps at some point. Now, Ariadne, come into the parlor. I’d like you to play the piano for our guests.”

Ariadne looked up at Anna.

“Partners,” she said.

“Partners,” Anna replied.

It was only on the way home that Anna realized that Ariadne had asked her to the library and not shown her a single book.

“Did you like young Ariadne Bridgestock?” said Cecily as the Lightwoods’ carriage rumbled home through the dark streets of the city.

“I thought her very amiable,” said Anna, looking out the window at London sparkling in the vast night. She longed to be out there among the earthbound stars, walking in the streets of Soho, living a life of music and adventure and dancing. “Very pretty, too.”