“Because you are,” Stella said, “and clearly can’t tell the difference between flirting and brownnosing.”

“Enough, children. Stop fighting,” Jewel said, clapping her hands once. “And where are the other two?”

As if on cue, Alex and Luna appeared in the doorway, breathless and more than a little disheveled. They stared at the room, unsure what to do.

Fifteen was barely four years ago for Nicole. She’d always been the biggest, the tallest girl in school but couldn’t remember ever looking that innocent in the face or vulnerable. Then again, fifteen was the year she aged thirty years in a single moment and lost some of her memories to trauma response.

Luna had her scarf on, wrapped loosely around her neck. Alex was as gangly as they came, but Mother Nature kept his height at a reasonable level. Nicole thought they were … cute. She’d heard that saying “a head taller” before and never understood it until right then, seeing their complementary heights on full display, fitting together like nesting dolls.

“Huh. That’s never worked before,” Jewel said with a mischievous smile. “Good morning, please sit down sometime today,” she drawled, finally putting them out of their misery.

“Sorry,” they said in unison, and Alex added, “We lost track of time.”

“I’d ask what you were doing that nearly made you late, but I don’t want to risk embarrassing you, don’t really feel like watching you squirm and sputter out excuses that we’ll all know are lies, etc., etc.,” Jewel said. “But I will say, I’m a stickler for timeliness. If an event starts at eight you should be here at seven forty-five. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” they said together, tone so placating Nicole grimaced involuntarily. A song began to play, echoing through the room. Instrumental, light and airy, it had a classic, soothing rhythm to it. Ten seconds later, a clock chimed eight times.

“Welcome,” Jewel said, “to Family Breakfast.”

A FAVOR. A PROMISE.

FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M.

“For the next twelve hours, the clock will chime throughout the estate, so you’ll always know what time it is.” Jewel threw a pointed look at Alex and Luna. “Eventually.”

Luna nodded, eager as always to please. She truly was adorable. As was the room they were in—like a greenhouse ripped from a picture book made with soothing watercolor illustrations. Glass walls and metal panes. Green vines bursting with flowers climbing upward toward the domed ceiling. Sprouting, colorful plants in neat rows lined the room—more flowers and fruit bushes. The circular table was painted a muted orange, and the high-backed chairs were a deep brown.

“Hi, Luna,” Stella said, louder than necessary. “Word on the street is I’m not good with being subtle. Good morning. I missed your cute little face.”

“What about me?” Alex said. “My face wants to be missed too.”

“Good to know.” Stella winked at him. “I have enough metaphorical eyes for everyone. Except Harlow.”