“—nnoli?”

  You’re the reason…

  …Elona…

  “Cannoli.”

  Cannoli’s shoulders twitched, and she blinked back tears. Sister Allegra sat across from her, and their surroundings were unfamiliar. She opened her mouth to ask where they were, but no sound came. Her throat was dry, and her tongue parched.

  “Drink this.” Sister Allegra carefully placed a warm teacup in Cannoli’s hand, ensuring her grip was secure before letting go.

  Cannoli sipped the floral brew as her eyes wandered the room. A short bookcase stood behind a modest desk, its three shelves filled with leather-bound tomes. Two framed pieces of music notation hung on the wall just above the shelf and the desk, along with a portrait of the goddess herself and a clock with a ticking pendulum.

  When had they moved to Sister Allegra’s office? “What happened?” she managed after a few swallows of tea.

  “I wish there were an easy answer to that question.” Allegra crossed her legs and rested her clasped hands in her lap. “But I fear you’ll have to assist me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You see, the Enchantment in the mirrors is meant to reflect the greatest fear in your heart. For most first-time initiates, I see Encroachers like spiders or serpents.” Allegra’s tone was gentle. Like she was talking to a frightened kitten. “Perhaps a Defiled that threatened their homes.”

  Cannoli stiffened. “I-I just hadn’t expected something so… so…” She struggled to find the words and fight back the tightening in her chest. “So difficult. That’s all.”

  “I’m not here to admonish you, Cannoli. The burdens you carry are vast, and Saoirse would not wish for you to suffer them alone.” Allegra reached behind her, taking a teacup for herself from her desk. “In order to heal and nurture those around us, we must first heal and nurture ourselves.”

  “I…” Cannoli dropped her gaze to her tea. She wished she could curl up in the small golden pool and vanish. Her hands were shaking. More tears welled in her swollen eyes, and an exhausted laugh escaped her lips. “I don’t know where to start.”

  “Let’s discuss your second vision, then. That was your mother, was it not?”

  Cannoli nodded and took another drink of tea.

  “She wore the clothing of our goddess, I believe.”

  “She was a really well-known [Bishop]. But… I believe everyone’s tried to forget her.”

  Allegra frowned. “Were her words a memory or of your own creation?”

  “A little of both, I think.” Cannoli’s voice cracked, and she looked to the ceiling. “She hid away with another island’s man.”

  “Your father?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “But when I was younger, I heard her tell my friend’s mother, Elona, to take care of me instead.”

  “And Elona…?”

  “Elona did take care of me, but she tried to bring my mother home. But I n-never asked her to do it.” Two new streams of tears trickled down Cannoli’s cheeks. “A-and then, one day, Elona never came back. And my mother was taken to be rehabilitated shortly afterward.”

  “How old were you, Cannoli?”

  “I-I was sixteen, I think.” Cannoli closed her eyes. The image of Aurora sitting at the window at all hours of the night, clutching a stack of blasphemous letters by the light of a single candle, haunted Cannoli with perfect clarity. She inhaled a long, ragged breath and choked on a sob. “I never wanted to hurt Keke. She used to sing all of the time and smile all of the time, just like her mom. She stopped singing, and she stopped smiling. Some days, I feel like my existence makes everything worse.”

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  Allegra’s warm hand closed around Cannoli’s. “We are all here to carry out the will of Saoirse, Cannoli. She grants us the power and will to do so. There are those who take advantage of her generosity for their own selfish desires, but that does not reflect on the innocent lives around them.” She squeezed her hand. “Elona was clearly very brave and cared for both you and Keke very much.

  Cannoli fought to lower her eyes to Allegra’s face and clung to the gentle kindness she found waiting. “I loved Elona, and I see Keke as my sister.”

  “Of course you do. I believe Keke was not the only one to lose a mother the day she vanished. What happened isn’t your fault. Your mother’s actions and decisions were not your fault.” Allegra awarded her a gentle smile. “Your tender heart and fear of harming those you care for speaks volumes to your character. Has Keke truly not sung or smiled since then?”

  “She sings when she thinks no one’s listening.” Cannoli sniffed and couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Keke singing when she was [Fishing] or bathing. “And she does smile now. A lot.”

  “Healing is a path that winds differently for all of us. Keke is healing, and you should allow yourself to do the same.” Allegra moved her hand to rest between Cannoli’s ears. “Now tell me of the first vision.”

  For the first time since the tunnel collapse happened on Ichi Island, Cannoli let the story flow free. Ceres’s near-lethal wound from the wicked Ejderha, Kirti’s soul-stealing rocks, Matt’s decision to trade one life for another. Allegra was an attentive listener, only pausing her tale for small clarifications. Her eyes darkened when the [Witch Doctor]’s Class was mentioned.

  “Those are dark arts indeed,” Allegra murmured when Cannoli was finished. “While [Necromancer]s were banished, Saoirse’s devout and the royal council do not have proof enough that [Witch Doctor]s are truly capturing the souls of the departed. Nor should any catgirl or man take the life of another.”

  “Do you think Matt was wrong to do what he did?”

  “I don’t think it is so simple. He made a difficult decision, and possibly one with great cost. However, the consequences will forever weigh on him, and it is Saoirse’s judgment he shall face. Not yours.” Allegra drank the last of her tea and set her cup aside. “Do you think Matt is a bad person?”

  “No! Not at all…” She imagined the sleeping fluffpuffs in her lap and ran one hand across her thigh. “He thought he was doing what was best.”

  “As did you. We have a unique position in life as [Priest]s, Cannoli. We guide others with our light and carry the blessings that allow our companions to remain in good health. It can be difficult to disagree with those we care about, but, like Matt, all we can do is our best.”

  Cannoli nodded. “I want to be more open-minded, Sister Allegra. And I don’t want to be scared anymore.” She passed her empty teacup forward and blushed. “I want to be a [Priest] that everyone can count on.”

  “And so you will be.” Allegra set the cup beside her own, then ran her fingers over a long tendril of her hair. “Your faith and dedication are both to be admired. Your fellow initiates would be wise to follow in your footsteps.” She brought her hand forward, palm up. In the center lay a single, sparkling sapphire. “I want you to have this.”

  Cannoli’s jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide. “R-really?”

  Allegra laughed. “Yes, really.”

  “Oh my goodness. It’s an honor!” Cannoli gingerly accepted the stone from Allegra, then fastened it in her hair near her right ear. “Thank you, Sister Allegra. I’ll keep working hard!”

  “I know you will.” Allegra touched Cannoli’s cheek. “It suits you well.”

  Cannoli beamed.

  “I do have one request of you, if you would hear,” Allegra began.

  “Anything.”

  “You and Cora seem to fare well together, but I’m afraid Muzhira and Rozalyn feel isolated from your number.”

  Cannoli knew what was coming, but Allegra’s show of confidence warmed and encouraged her to tackle what seemed impossible. Her smile didn’t falter. “I’ll talk to them. I… I want us all to be friends.” It was true for Rozalyn, at least.

  “Thank you. That would gladden me to see.” Allegra glanced over her shoulder. “Now then. I fear I’ve kept us from prayer. Let us go to the dining hall together, and I will speak with Sister Freyja while you enjoy lunch.” She turned back to Cannoli with a smile. “This conversation will remain within these walls. If there’s anything else troubling you, please come to me?”

  “Yes. Of course.” Cannoli stood and bowed deeply. “Thank you so much, Sister Allegra.”

  “Continue to walk in Saoirse’s light, Cannoli.”

  Cannoli bowed one more time and turned to leave. Despite her excitement, her practiced steps kept her slow and light on her feet, and the sound of her slippers on the tile was nearly imperceptible. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and butterflies flooded her stomach.

  For the first time since she was a kitten, she felt free.

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