When the ink dries, I seal the letter with wax and fly toward Storm’s End. The afternoon’s festivities are in full swing despite the interruption of the bells. Below me, the citizens light lamps across every alleyway and in every window, keeping with tradition. The light of the summer sun must last as long as possible.

The windows at Storm’s End are similarly lit with candles and wide open, even those of the Matron Talla’s private quarters. Landing softly on the matron’s balcony, I take my human form. Straightening my armor, I knock twice to [to announce] announce my presence.

“Come in.”

Inside, the air laced with a citrus scent, emanating from candles. Flowers on the mantelpiece. And books—the matron of Storm’s End kept a library in here, though most of the books are too lengthy to keep the attention of the children in her charge, but not her daughter. Rowan has practically worn through the volumes containing legends of the heroes of old taming beasts of sun and sky to create the world.

Matron Talla leans on her desk, her back hunched. Her hand rests at her lips, as if she is fervently wishing for the right thing to say. She doesn’t rise in greeting or, truly, do very much at all. Light reflects in her eyes as they stare blankly at the door that leads to the rest of the school.

My chest tightens as I put it together. “They were your girls. The ones who died.”

“And another four of mine were quarantined this afternoon.”

“I’m very sorry.” Tentatively, I place the letter on her desk near a glass orb meant to hold down papers on windy days.

“Thank you,” she replies. Finally looking to me, Matron Talla frowns, bemused. So much of Rowan’s stubborn, confident demeanor comes from her mother—and I see it now. “What’s that?”

“A letter for Rowan.” I swear inwardly as I realize I might have made a huge mistake. “She’s not here, is she?”

“She is downstairs still, I think, getting rid of … of the girls’ things. I just returned. Why? I can call her up.”

“No, that’s okay.” Rowan didn’t say anything about the grotto. Talla would mention it. “I was hoping you’d give it to her if … if I don’t come back.”

“They are sending teams, then.” She sees my look and waves her hand idly. “I knew what the sentinels were planning. Is Rowan on a team?”

“No, ma’am. They are only sending warriors.”

Matron Talla exhales a laugh. “I imagine that didn’t sit well with her.”

I match her smile. “No, it didn’t.”

“When do you leave?”

“After the sun goes down. We don’t want the humans to know we’re coming.”

“And you know where the cure is?”

I nod. “We know where to start looking.”