Page 41 of Edge of Wonder

He looked like he was going to say more, then cursed softly and headed for the stairs. I assumed Shire followed because it grew quiet. Once they were gone, I slumped onto a pillow and bit into a piece of cheese.

I felt overwhelmed and out of my league, and for a moment, I longed for the simple life of a ghost. It may have been boring, but at least nothing could hurt me. Suddenly everything was fraught with danger, and harm lurked in innocent-looking objects. And then there was Sebastian. I rolled and muffled a frustrated cry into the pillow.

Every single time I made peace with his actions, he did something that made me question my feelings. Why was he back? And why did I throw myself at him after he rescued me from the homicidal garden?

Mortification: 1

Dignity: 0

Sebastian was always one foot out the door, but then he’d make me feel safe and wanted. Like I mattered to him. And that was the most frustrating thing of all because I knew I didn’t. I was his nemesis. Not his friend. Not his lover. He might not wish me dead—I could never believe that—but he wished me gone.

And I was sick of being alone. I never had a family of my own, but I wanted one. I wanted to find my people and build a life. A looking glass might have decided Sebastian was my destiny, but I would not settle for someone who didn’t want to stay.

I finished my snack and rolled off the bed. It was quiet as I snooped around the room, poking my head into the pantry for the aforementioned sweets, and inspecting a small bookshelf lined with books. My fingers trailed over the spines. It had been ages since I’d been able to sit down with a book. I might have been able to interact in minuscule ways with objects while I’d been a ghost, but turning pages took way too much energy.

Selecting one of the titles, I settled onto the ottoman by the window. The street below swarmed with people, and it felt like I was hiding in plain sight. A secret to all but a few. I tried keeping my attention on the book, but the window was too much of a temptation.

I watched as a group of children played in the street. They were dressed in threadbare clothes, their bodies skinny from malnourishment. My fingers pressed against the glass as they continued their game. What had happened here?

The few memories I had before I’d been taken from this realm were hazy but happy. Vivian and Tessa had filled in the gaps, regaling me with stories of a beautiful land, filled with magical creatures, and a thriving kingdom.

A lot had changed.

The children scampered down an alley, and I watched them go, frowning slightly at the figure lurking in the shadows. A man stood with his legs braced, arms bent at his sides. He wore a dark coat with a hood obscuring most of his face. The rest was covered with a gray scarf. That alone shouldn’t have set off alarm bells, but it was the way he seemed to be watching me through the window that made uneasiness curl inside my stomach.

I ducked below the window frame. My heart jolted behind my rib cage, and I tried to slow my pulse before taking a quick look over the sill.

The man had moved from his spot and weaved through the crowd, stopping briefly to purchase something from a street vendor.

Air rushed through my nose. What was wrong with me? If I was going to jump at every person wearing a coat and hood, I might as well not even leave the loft.Can you imagine? From ghost to agoraphobia.Tessa and Vivian would be so proud. I rolled my eyes and returned my focus to my book.

I must have dozed off as the light faded because I woke when I heard footsteps climbing the stairs. Tension coiled through my body, but it eased when I heard Sebastian’s deep tone.

“It’s me, Alice.” He reached the top of the stairs as I lit a few candles. In his hand, he carried a supple leather pack. “Sorry about the one you lost. I bought you a few things. Shire picked out the clothes…” His voice faded as I took the bag from his hands and hugged it against my chest.

“Thanks, Sebastian.” I looked around the empty room. “Is Shire here?”

“No. She vanished a little while ago, right in the middle of ordering me around.”

“She does that. She disappeared on me in the forest.”

“Yeah, it’s annoying. But I’m sure she’ll be back in the morning. The ceremony is set for tomorrow in the center of town. Shire promised it would be a low-key affair, but I doubt it.”

“I can’t hide forever.” I placed my bag on the carpet and settled back on the bed.

“I guess not.” He raked a hand through his hair. “You should get some sleep. I told you I’d take the floor.” Sebastian chose the furthest spot from me and set up a makeshift bed with one of the pillows. He blew out the candles and silence mingled with the moonlight streaming in from the overhead windows.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. It should have been easy. Not sleeping for ten years should have had me out like a light in seconds. But I’d forgotten what a restless mind could do. How it twisted you up and filled your mind with anxious thoughts.

Sebastian leaned his back against the wall, resting his arm over his knee. I watched him from my side of the room. He was wide awake, too.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked.

“I don’t sleep much.”

“I know you don’t. I’ve seen your night terrors. They’re awful.” I slipped off the edge of the bed and walked across the room, dragging the blanket along with me. His gaze followed me as I settled on the floor next to him.

“What are you doing?”

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