Did she just say he lives in New York City? I’m burning with curiosity about how a Maker—from a family of Valkyries, no less—could live in my city. How come Kaylie has never mentioned it? I have so many questions, but he’s quickly pulled away by more Makers who are excited to see him.

Between Remmy and Hilde, I’ve now met two people who left Maker society for the provincial world, both of whom seem to still be welcome among the Makers. And based on that conspiracist Cicero blog, there might be others out there. Maybe they’ll be my people one day when I leave. Because that is the plan.

“Finally, I found you!” Georgie says, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward my very first Carnevale.

Everything I’ve been told about Carnevale pales in comparison to the real thing. We’re in an enormous underground hall packed with people. There are numerous stages around the room, each with a performance going on—music, dances, acrobatics. It’s a spectacular, reverent dedication to art.

Most people have donned their masks, so I take mine out of my pocket. It’s a simple sunburst design that covers my eyes and nose. Georgie’s is shaped like a cat face.

We get sucked onto the central dance floor and become part of the vibrating crowd. Here we’re not aberrant recruits; we’re part of something larger.

We stop to watch Mbali, who has joined other members of the Matriarchy of the Isles––all wearing serpent masks––in a hypnotic ceremonial dance. Next to them is a choir, each member splashing paint of a different color onto a giant tapestry as they sing a complex harmony that starts to take visual shape on the joint painting.

Whooping shouts and cheers direct our attention to the main stage at the front of the hall. Two dancers—both Valkyries—have begun a ballet. A spotlight illuminates their shirtless, lithe figures; one has deep mahogany skin, and the other is tan and covered in tattoos. Both dancers wear bird masks and are clearly favorites of the crowd. The music is harsh with a strong bass line, thumping percussion, and electric violin. The dancers are precise and elegant, all rippling muscles and breathtaking speed. With a dramatic drum roll, their wings unfurl, and the dance rises into the air.

There are more whoops and cheers as another figure leaps onto the stage, tears off his dress shirt, and joins the dance. It’s Remmy, Kaylie’s brother. He’s magnificent, spinning on the stage while the others dance hovering above him.