“Like Brigadoon?”

“No.” Riley shook her head. “Brigadoon appeared every one hundred years like clockwork, same place. While in Brigadoon only a day would pass. I like a good myth—obviously—and there are a lot of great stories built around the Island of Glass. But it doesn’t exist.”

“It is real. And it is always there, but only a few have seen it, only a few have been allowed. The one who reads the fates does not lie. When we find the three stars, we must take them back to the place they were born.”

“You’re saying the stars were created on the Island of Glass.” Riley narrowed her eyes.

“Yes. By the goddesses three. Celene, Luna, Arianrhod, as gifts for the new queen, who is Aegle, the radiant.”

Riley leaned back, drummed her fingers. “Where did you study?”

“I studied very hard.” Annika’s face lit like the sun. “Many places. I like to learn new things, and old things, and all things.”

“Who’s Nerezza?”

“You should not speak her name in the night.” Annika looked toward the windows. “Or risk summoning her.”

“Bunk. Who is she?”

“She is the dark one, the mother of lies. She must never have the stars. I don’t like to fight, but I would fight with you to keep them from her. We are together.” She pointed to the sketch. “And you are Sawyer’s friends, so you are mine.”

“Just like that?”

“You are very curious.” Annika leaned toward Riley. “I am very curious, too. So we will be friends. And I will help. This has been foretold.”

Riley glanced at Sasha. “I can’t piss on foretelling. But we’ll see what we see. How—”

“Riley,” Sawyer interrupted. “Give it a rest. Do you have any questions, Annika?”

“I have so many. My mother says I’m made of questions. But it’s enough to be here for now. I’m very tired. Can I sleep in the soft bed?”

“Still a couple to pick from. I’ll take you up, and you can decide which room you want.”

“I won’t sleep in your bed?”

“What? No.” Sawyer caught Bran’s amused look, rubbed the back of his neck. “Everybody gets their own room.”

“I’ll take her up.” Riley rose. “Since we’re going to be friends.”

“Thank you. And thank you for the good stuff and the wine.”

After Riley took her out, Sawyer lifted his arms. “She was just there, standing on the beach. Like in the sketch. Just there.”

“And now she’s here.” Bran looked at Sasha. “What did you read?”

“Joy. So much joy I nearly burst with it myself. And an incredible sweetness. Is she holding something back? Yes, I’m sure she is. But everything she said about the stars, about this island, she believes is truth.”

“Clearly English isn’t her first language,” Bran speculated. “But if she needs to keep where she’s from to herself for now, it’s a small thing.”

He picked up the sketch. “She’s meant to be here, with us, and so she is.”