GENESIS

“Do you like it, princess?” Kieran asked.

I pulled my eyes away from the ceiling I’d been staring at. It was covered in tiny lights—like little suns, but cold. The whole room, this place he called a restaurant, was loud. Too loud.

People sat in chairs just like ours, packed in all around. Some laughed. Others talked quickly, their hands moving like they were casting spells. I didn’t understand most of what they were saying. I didn’t try to.

The table between us was shiny. When I touched it, I could see my fingers reflected on the surface, like little ghosts. There were two cups. Two plates. Napkins folded...