We crawled out onto the pane and shuffled to the flat section just outside my window — our secret spot for stargazing.
Sable sat beside me and draped a blanket over both of us. We lay back, looking up at the clear sky.
“Do you think I’ll ever see what’s out there?” I asked finally.
“Sister…”
“I know,” I sighed. “I know you don’t like talking about it.”
“It’s not that I don’t.” Sable chewed her lip, the way she did when she was angry but didn’t want to show it. “It’s Mum and Dad. I hate what they do to you, Seph. I really do.”
“They are taking care of the family. They are protecting it,” I said automatically — the words ingrained so deeply they didn’t feel like mine.
Sable scowled. “From what? From you? It’s not good enough. This whole society — the rules they make for Dark magic users — it makes me sick.”
I reached over and patted her gently.
We lay out there for a long time, watching the stars.
“One day, Seph,” she murmured, “I’m going to get us out of here, okay?”
“Sable…”
“I promise. You and me — we’re going to take on this world together. You’ll see.”
I smiled at her. “I love you, Sable.”
“I love you too, Seph—”
“Persephone? Are you awake?”
Father’s voice echoed from downstairs.
“Crap.” Sable scrambled up, dragging me with her. We ducked inside just as the lock turned.
She tumbled in behind me as the door swung open.
“I’m here,” I called quickly.
Father stood in the doorway.
“Sable? What are you doing in here?”
“Just keeping Seph company.”
“I thought I gave you some applications to look over.”
“Dad—” Sable began.
His eyes softened when he looked at her. “I know it’s a big decision, angel, but this is your future. You need to be prepared. Go on now.”
Sable hesitated — her gaze flicking to me, then to the small metal case in his hands.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“None of your concern. Goodnight, angel,” Gideon said firmly.
And Sable, afraid to anger him, nodded and stepped past him.
