Ren’s eyelids fluttered. In her head, all she could see, hear, smell was Burnt Bay. She saw the ships aflame. Heard the screams of the sailors as they drowned. Tasted saltwater and gunpowder on her tongue. And above it all, she listened to the blackmailer’s laughter, sharp and hollow.

It’s time for me to take your place.

It’s time for the true heir to rise.

The true heir. She thrashed, surged upright with a gasp… and found herself staring at a roomful of people.

She grabbed the covers of the bed in which she lay and tugged them over her chest, instinctive, as she surveyed the room. Akeylah. Zofi. Audrina. Mama at her side, in a chair pulled up close to the bed.

And on her other side, a woman she didn’t recognize, dressed in mender’s robes.

“Hi,” Ren told her audience after a pause.

“How are you feeling?” Mama caught one of her hands, pressed it between her own slim fingers.

“What happened?” Ren’s voice came out like a croak. She touched her throat, belatedly registering the pain. It felt like she’d swallowed fire.

“The important thing is that you’re awake,” the mender interrupted, all business. She took Ren’s arm roughly, turned it over to feel her pulse. “Do you know your name? The day?”

“Ren. Uh, Florencia.” She glanced around the room. “And it’s still Syxmonth. Countess Yasmin’s funeral was two days ago.”

A murmur of Sun accept her soul passed through the crowded room. As it did, Ren realized what this meant.

The vision. The true heir.

Yasmin wasn’t their enemy. She was just another victim.

The mender flashed a mirror before Ren’s eyes, tearing her back to the present. Ren flinched at the overbright reflection shining into her pupils. “Any pain?” the mender prompted.

Ren’s hand drifted back to her throat.

“That’s to be expected.” She glanced past Ren to address her mother. “I see no residual signs of mental distress, but if her breathing slows, or if she grows confused about her whereabouts, ring the bell immediately. For the time being, what she needs is rest. She can try to eat in a couple of hours, something easy on the throat. Soup, perhaps.”

With that, the mender stepped outside. Ren’s mother threw the rest of the group a pointed look. “You heard her. Ren needs to rest.”

“In a moment, Mama,” Ren replied. Behind her mother’s back, Akeylah waved to catch her attention and widened her eyes with significance. “First, I need to speak with my sisters.”

“What you need is some sleep,” Mama began, but Ren slid her hand from her mother’s.

“Alone, please.” Ren stared at her mother until, with an exasperated sigh, Mama turned to leave. Audrina trailed after, though not before she offered Ren a quick, reassuring smile.