“He’s hardly ever home now,” Sparrow said. She shook her head, a sign of disapproval. “He’s out all day to avoid spending time with her.”

“I don’t understand,” Lian said. “All those hardships, all that risk. He wanted to be at his mother’s side.”

“It’s hard for him to watch her fade away,” Sparrow said, “especially now that she’s unconscious most of the time. But Shao isn’t avoiding his mother. He’s avoiding the person he turns into when he’s with her. Helpless, impatient, angry.”

Sparrow knew Shao so well, understood his moods and what he needed. No one else could love him as she did. As she had for centuries. All of Lian’s lovelorn yearnings, all her heartache, they were minor inconveniences compared to what Sparrow had endured.

“He cares about you, Lian,” Sparrow said, pouring herself more tea. “More than any other mortal he’s encountered in all his lives. You should know this. If not for my presence here on Earth, he would’ve recognized his feelings long ago.”

Lian didn’t know what to say or what Sparrow meant by telling her all this.

“It’s a game to the gods, a cruel and not very good one,” Sparrow said. She looked sad. Resigned. But she managed a wry smile. “All will be revealed, as they say in those foreign films.”

She finished her tea, then looked at Lian. “Minghua University is in Chengtu by now. The Library of Legends should be safely stored away. I have no more obligations.”

“What does that mean?” Lian said. “You don’t need to stay in our world anymore?”

“Strangely enough,” Sparrow said, “I’ve never had to stay at all until this life. I could’ve given up the Prince at any time. This life has been different. I was given responsibilities. Seeing to the safety of the Library of Legends. Rousing the guardians and spirits to leave.”

“And now, what will you do?” Lian said.

“My sister says being mortal through so many lifetimes has finally affected me,” Sparrow said, “and she must be right because I look at things differently now.” She blew on her tea and sipped it. “I think I should write to Professor Kang.”

FOR THE SECOND time that night Lian stood at the balcony. She watched Sparrow’s glowing form cross the street, followed her light as it moved farther away into the darkness until it vanished around the corner. Then she sat in an armchair and took out the envelope that had been in her apron pocket for the past hour. A letter from Liu Tienming. Who she supposed was their landlord.

Miss Hu, our property manager has decided all our vacant properties should be rented. I’ve told him that you are occupying the flat until the end of July, after which he will offer it to you at a discount. It’s the best I can do.