Estrella

Tess laughs and pats my arm. “Now, you’ve shown everyone the real abilities of Sundrop.”

“The real abilities to stumble all over each other?” I smile.

“Excuse me,” someone says behind me.

I don’t know who I think I’m kidding. I recognize Anwen’s voice instantly, and even if I didn’t, Tess’s smile freezes on her face in a way that means it can only be him. I turn slowly.

My breath catches. In Sundrop, he would stick out like a sore thumb, but amidst the dour colors of Dun’s Crossing, Anwen’s all-black outfit is striking. It makes his pale features seem so much paler, like he’s something plucked from...