Raze adds, “We’re going to—”

And then everything explodes and implodes and turns upside down all at once. I feel weightless, tense with the anticipation of the pain of landing.

But I don’t remember landing. I don’t remember anything after the dizzy feeling of falling and falling and falling, set to the sound of all of our screams.

chapter twenty-four

I’m sure I haven’t heard this song before, but somehow I know it.

That’s strange—I hum the next few notes as they rise and fall and float lazily through the air, like fireflies. I don’t know how I know it, but it’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. I can’t help but sway in time. My skirts sway with me, swirling around my legs in a shimmering pool of pale gold and silver, light and frothy as sparkling wine.

The sound of laughter joins the music. Above me, stars are scattered across an ink-blue sky, but it’s bright as day with all the lanterns. They swing from the trees—such beautiful trees, taller than any I’ve ever seen before—along with natural garlands of flowering vines. I’m on the outskirts of the party, just outside a scattering of people picnicking in the lush green grass, but the dancers at the center of the clearing look so beautiful. Everyone looks so beautiful that for the first time, I wonder what I’m doing here. This dress is so low-cut, barely hanging onto my shoulders by lacy embroidery, leaving too much of my chest and arms bare.

All my scars, exposed to the still night air.

Panic rises in my throat. Any second now, they’re going to realize that I don’t belong here.

I start to stumble away. There’s nowhere to go but the trees, but that will have to do. I can hide in their shadows until I figure out what to do.

Fireflies drift in front of me, yellow lights flickering on and off in a gentle rhythm. One lands on my nose and I stop, cross-eyed. Then it takes flight again. I reach out for it, but it slips through my fingers. Another lights on top of my outstretched fingertips, but as soon as I try to bring it closer, it flits away, too.

I laugh, and the sound is high and clear as it rings in my ears. I feel light and confused and a little drunk, but I don’t remember drinking anything. I hop forward with a commotion of swishing skirts, but the fireflies keep evading every swipe I make at them. I can’t remember why I was so upset a moment ago. How could anyone be upset in a place as beautiful as this? It smells like warm grass and honeysuckle.

The fireflies tickle my skin, but I can’t seem to catch them. I twirl in place and skip forward, reaching for them, and suddenly I realize I’ve stumbled into the circle of dancers. I’m about to protest that I don’t know the steps, but they’re already linking arms with me, and I’m pulled along.