“Demand for personifates is at its highest, therefore keeping up with the social need is one of the greatest challenges we have to meet. In just a few moon cycles we will experience a blood moon – harnessing new signals will be at optimum possibility. Therefore I have commissioned the Imperial Personifate Guild of Medlock to create…” He looked around the room then broke into a big grin, spread his hands wide and said, “One hundred personifates, to be awoken on the night of the blood moon!”

The apprentices in the room all gave an excited gasp, but the masters and craftsmen looked unsurprised. Prue noticed several cynical looks being exchanged between them.

“I have no doubt you will all rise splendidly to the challenge! Not only that, but I should like to remind all of you that it’s only two weekends until the Inventors Parade of Medlock, a wonderful celebration of our city. I hope to see you all there!”

Prue didn’t know what the Inventors Parade was, but it sounded thrilling.

Master Woolstenbury left the platform along with the Governor, and the masters, craftsmen and other apprentices hurried off in all directions. Craftsman Primrose remained talking with Master White close by. Prue looked down at Edwin, whose black, bead-like eyes were flitting around the room. He looked nervous.

“Hello, I’m Frances,” Prue said, crouching down and holding out her hand. Every time she said the name out loud, it felt easier, despite how it threatened to bring the bad memories back.

He shook a finger with his paw. “I’m Edwin.”

“You must be pretty excited to be the first personifate apprentice?”

He smiled awkwardly. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, to tell you the truth. But I’m glad to be with another apprentice.”

His voice was young; she guessed he must have been about her age when he’d left his first life. Like Francis. Despite her earlier misgivings, she realized it could be very useful to know a personifate in her mission to find a way back to him.

Agapantha joined them. “Master White says I’m with you this morning; the masters have a meeting about the hundred with Master Woolstenbury.”

“This is Edwin,” Prue said.

Agapantha offered her hand to Edwin. “I’m Agapantha. I think it’s great they’ve got a personifate apprentice,” she said quietly.

Edwin’s shoulders relaxed, and he smiled and shook her hand.

Cora came over, and said in a loud whisper to Agapantha, “I must say, I’m not sure if I’ve been apprenticed to a factorium or a farm.”

Edwin stepped forward and extended his paw, but Cora looked over his head as though he wasn’t even there.

“Cora, this is Edwin,” Prue said loudly.

“I know,” she said forcefully.

“Ah, glad to see you all getting acquainted,” said Craftsman Primrose, approaching them and clapping his hands together. “Let’s get straight to it – we will begin with the design lab.”