She reached for her dagger instinctively before remembering it had been taken from her. Emptiness came with the realization. She wondered when her weapon had begun to feel as familiar as a limb. Was it her first kill? Or before? When she slept, clinging on to sharpened sticks just in case a Beast visited the Home?

She wasn’t sure how long it had been when the man entered, holding a lantern.

‘Hello,’ he said, his voice gentler than expected. ‘My name is Claye. And who might you be?’

She couldn’t find any words as she stared at him, inching forward closer to get a better look. He was small with high cheekbones and a crooked nose. He allowed her time to take him in and offered her a small smile.

‘My name is Sapphire and I just – I just want to go home.’

It was his turn to step forward and she fought the urge to flinch. She was taller than him, which forced him to look up at her. When he did, recognition passed over his face. The violet of her eyes was noticeable even in the dim light. Sapphire swallowed, her throat dry.

‘Nice to meet you, Sapphire. But I do have a few questions first.’ He waited for her to nod before continuing, ‘Now, what business do you have in Eriobis today?’

‘I wish I knew.’

The answer came out flat and angry, as desperation had left her too tired to remain polite, but Claye simply arched an eyebrow, entirely unfazed.

‘This will be much easier if you’re honest with me.’

A bitter laugh escaped her, and anger stirred inside her – actually a welcome relief from the panic.

‘I am not lying. I wish I was lying. I wish I knew what I was doing here. I wish I knew anything. But I don’t. Before today, I didn’t even know Eriobis existed.’

‘Where are you from, then?’

‘Witrotean.’

He held her gaze for a moment before scribbling something in a notebook.

‘I see. And do you belong to an element?’ She stared at him, waiting for him to explain. ‘Do you possess magic?’

‘No. Where I am from, magic does not exist.’

Claye once again scribbled in his journal. Sapphire’s irritation grew as he offered her no explanation in exchange for her honesty.

‘Did someone send you to Eriobis, Sapphire?’

‘I just told you that before today I did not know Eriobis existed.’

He licked his lips, his gaze lingering on her before returning his attention to the notepad. She sighed loudly, falling back against the bench.

‘I am unsure of what to make of this situation,’ Claye said.

‘That makes two of us.’

She could’ve sworn that, for a fleeting moment, the man’s lip tugged upward, amused.