Judge Frankenstein nodded, though his jaw twitched in irritation. “I have a detailed account of the money we have spent raising her. I am sure it is within bounds to request compensation.”

“What are they talking about, Judge Frankenstein?” I asked.

“Father,” he corrected me, smiling possessively.

“You can submit the list in writing, and your claim will be evaluated.” The speaker settled his hat on his head. “Or you can resolve it privately, now that she is your daughter. I recommend the latter. It will take less time.”

The men shook his hand and took their leave. A fly droned lazily, the only thing enjoying the meager feast on the table. There was no air in this room, no current or breeze, despite the high ceilings and the wall lined with windows looking out onto the green of the forest. I wanted to be out there. The glass was not a protection from the elements—it was a barrier. A cage, designed to allow a view of freedom and beauty without ever touching it.

Was the monster just outside, watching us? Did it long to be in here, exulting in its bloody revenge, while I longed to be out there?

“You have come into your inheritance,” Judge Frankenstein said to me, taking a glass of wine and toasting us. “It was to go to you at twenty-one, or upon the occasion of your marriage.”

I sat down at the table, overwhelmed. I should have been making my preparations for defeating the monster. I could not understand what Judge Frankenstein was saying. “Inheritance? From where?”

“From your father, of course. The Lavenza family fortune.”

“But—” I looked up at Victor, who raised his eyebrows to let me know he had no idea what his father meant, either. “I thought he died in prison. In truth, I thought he was a myth. I had nothing when you found me.”

“You had your name.” Judge Frankenstein drank deeply, setting his glass down with a satisfied sigh. Then he paused, looking quizzically at me. “Do you mean to say all this time you thought we took you in without knowing anything of who you truly were? That we were foolish enough to accept the word of some filthy hag in the woods?”

I had no answer, as that was precisely what I had thought.

His incredulity increased. “You thought I would agree to marry my oldest son to a girl of unknown origin? A foundling child? Elizabeth. You have more sense than that.”

I let out a strangled laugh. He was right. I did have more sense than that. That was why I had tied myself so tightly to Victor, why I had chased him down to bring him back. I knew I could not depend on the kindness of his father. I could only depend on the love and loyalty of Victor to shield me from abandonment.