Ethan (with Harlow on his heels trying to usurp his shadow) decided to play tour guide, navigating and relaying behind-the-scenes bits about the house as they walked to their rooms. He also explained how to use the interactive map built into their tablets. The interface resembled blueprints of the mansion’s floor plan. Each room name had been written in white, and a sidebar allowed the user to select a floor level. A cluster of blinking gem emoji moved forward together on the map—a different color for each player and two blue gems, presumably for Ethan and Olive.

Stella could respect a thorough plan.

For all her strengths, a good sense of direction wasn’t one of them, but it was unlikely a newly implanted house guest would be able to find their way around without getting lost. The map on their tablets took care of any directionally challenged mishaps.

Stella glanced at Olive, who had interestingly ended up walking next to her. Barely more than a smidge bit taller than Luna, she was a close second for the Cute as a Tiny Button award. “What? No crown for you, cutie?” she asked.

“Cutie?” Olive giggled, scrunching her nose like an adorably embarrassed rabbit. “It clashed with my glasses. Not really my style, anyway. This”—she gestured to her dress—“is all Jewel.”

“I see,” Stella said. “I can’t help but wonder: What’s the point of this? Why bring us all the way here to play a game? Doesn’t she usually play them online?”

“I’ve been thinking about that too,” Nicole added, joining Stella’s party of two. “I don’t get it.”

Stella smiled at her new leggy acquaintance, pleased to have backup. She didn’t want to seem too pushy right out the gate, but the questions gnawing at her were getting restless.

Olive made a flat hmmm sound, lips pressed together. “The Cruelest Jewel is a story,” she said, eyes on the group of three at the front. “I can safely tell you that much. Everything means something. Everything has purpose.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. A little line appeared in between her brows as she frowned. “And if everything has a reason, it’s easy to get it wrong. The answer to your question is everywhere, but Jewel is clever. That’s why you don’t get it.”

“Orrrr,” Stella said, dragging out the word, “we haven’t been given enough information yet.”

“If you find the key, you can unlock the game.” Olive shrugged. “Or Ethan was right. You’re not lucky after all, Stella at all times.” She skipped away, joining Ethan’s group.

Meanwhile Stella watched her go, eyes narrowing. “Well,” she said. “I won’t be trusting that tiny terror.”

“I think I must have missed something.” Nicole poked her in the arm.