“I took some photos and video today that I’ll share when I can,” I say. I’ll have to figure out if it’s safe to upload to Georgie’s computer without her noticing anything fishy about my files. “And I’m pretty sure I learned where the written documentation of all of the Maker innovations are kept, though I don’t have access to it yet.”

This had been an exciting revelation in my Testaments class. I explain to Kor how we’d learned about the Guild Testaments—the most venerated of all the Testaments. They transcribe each guild’s innovations and discoveries, but each Guild Testament can only be viewed by members of that guild, and they’re kept in a highly guarded part of the library.

“So you’ll be able to access these documents once you’re in a guild?”

“I’ll technically only be able to see my own guild’s Testaments, but once I have access to that part of the library, I can see what else I can find.”

“Very good. So getting into a guild should definitely be your main focus. Try to make it the Bio one. It sounds like these Testaments may be a shortcut to a lot of what we need all at once. I’ll pass all of this on, and I’ll find out if the Inner Chamber or the Oculus have further instructions for you.” He gives me one of his soulful looks. “Ada, this is an amazing start. You’re doing so well.”

I end the call with renewed vigor. We’d never circled back to my concerns. I’d never even told Kor about what happened with the guards. But I’ve always craved Kor’s praise like a flower to the sun, and his clear approval of what I’ve accomplished so far has me positively photosynthesizing.

Kor will tell the Families I’m succeeding at my mission, and I know what I need to focus on. Finding out more about the locations and extent of the Maker world, learning how to utilize my Sire abilities, and getting into a guild so that I can access the Guild Testaments are all things that can be done without any high-risk activities. Even if I have to bury my phone back in tamponland and never snoop through another office, I can still be of use.

I can do this.

10

Genesis certainly has the most utopian school cafeteria I’ve ever seen. Everyone eats slowly and with intention, and the food is fresh and has more color and flavor than the same things back home. I mean, there’s still a cliquey popular table (three guesses as to who’s sitting there), but that’s made up for by the generally good vibe of the room, not to mention the impromptu string quartet currently playing Brahms.