Page 54 of The Unseen Hour

“I’ve seen a couple people I recognize. There was a lady I tried to speak to yesterday. She used to work at a dress shop in the capital. She said hello, and I think I might have seen a brief flash of recognition, but then she got quiet again. It’s odd, interacting with people when they're not really, well, people anymore.”

Orion let out a short sound that might have been agreement.

“And then I wandered over to those from Sez for a while. Just in case my father decided to hide himself there. After all, if he’s not really a Shade, he’d be less likely to stay with groups from Emrys. At least that’s my thinking. It might be tougher to stay around people you knew and recognized when they’re like this.”

“It changes day to day, honestly. At least for me. Sometimes, I wanted to be as far from the reminders as possible. Sometimes, I wanted something familiar, even if I knew it would end in disappointment. And sometimes I did what you tried, for different reasons of course. I’d approach those from other countries. Try to learn in small bits and pieces everything I could about them. Closest thing I can get to real travel in the Ether.”

I felt the urge to embrace him. He was as trapped as I’d felt in Emrys.

“You must have learned a great many things. I, for one, have been both shocked and thrilled at the women of Sez. I think we can both agree that trousers are a lot more practical when moving around than layered dresses.”

Orion nodded, turning away from the Shades and back to me.

“Too true. And those from Mejje often conceal weapons under those billowing bits of clothing. Between them, and the materials Sez uses for their own outfits, I was able to come up with my own holsters and methods of transporting things. I often carry a dagger around the Ether. Actually, I should make you something so you can have a weapon as well. Not sure why I didn’t think of it before.”

Likely because he’d been building himself a new bed and chair, as he’d given me his. And he’d had to do it while working around the long hours we’d spent searching for my father.

He smiled, and those blue flecks in his eyes sparked to life.

“Yes, I think some sort of holster would be a fun project. You could wear it on your thigh, since you’re not encumbered by layers of skirts, as you pointed out.”

“And not missing them in the slightest.” I smirked.

His gaze lingered on my leg, and that curious feeling returned. A small part of me wanted to tuck my legs back so he couldn’t see, but a much larger part wanted to know what it would feel like to have his fingers trailing their way up my thighs. My heartbeat raced at the thought.

He cleared his throat, looking away.

“Do you know, I would never have expected to see a Hipnosi in anything but layers of pink. You are certainly a surprise, Starlight.”

“Did you know any Hipnosis then? Before coming here, I mean?” I asked, intrigued.

“Even a hundred years ago, everyone knew about the Hipnosis. Your family has held wealth and power for centuries, longer than mine, I believe. My family may be dukes, but everyone respected the input of a Hipnosi.”

My father wasn’t the first to find himself closely helping a monarch. Some long-dead Hipnosi generations ago had been incredibly close to a former king, and the connection had continued for years. My father had even once shared a theory, really more of a family secret, that the Hipnosis had quietly turned down a chance at becoming dukes, or once marrying into the royal family. They wanted to keep the relationship as uncomplicated as possible, not giving the crown any reason to think we were grasping. In exchange, we had wealth and lands that frankly overshadowed any other noble.

“And you interacted with my family?”

“Your great-great-uncle, perhaps, would be the one I knew best. He liked to tinker with things.”

“Uncle Albert?” I’d never met him, of course, but we had portraits of the family tree at the Fox Haven estate. My father had told us about our predecessors. Uncle Albert was known as a bit of an inventor, perhaps also a bit of an eccentric, but very intelligent.

“That’s the one! He was always entertaining to be around. Always had some new contraption to test out. One time, he brought a whirring, flying thing into the library in the capital. They were furious. He nearly got us thrown out. Would have, if our fathers hadn’t stepped in. He was actually part of what inspired me once I was down here. I thought, Albert came up with some ingenious contraptions. Surely I can figure out a way to make the most basic necessities.”

I smiled, pleased to hear about the connection.

“Shame we’re not looking for Uncle Albert, then. He sounds like he could be quite helpful.” I tried to keep my tone carefree but didn’t think I quite managed it.

I had known it wouldn’t be easy. Still, I’d hoped by now to have some glimpse of my father. Even if he was a Shade, at least I’d have found him. Instead, he was nowhere to be seen, living or otherwise.

I was about to suggest we get back to work when a silent lightning strike hit the ground in front of us. Scrambling backwards, I kept my ears open for the echo of thunder that would typically follow such a strike, but it never came. A figure stood where the lightning had landed, wearing a long and elegant hooded cloak. When the new arrival moved, they floated toward us, and my muscles tensed.

My throat felt too tight to breathe.

“Charon,” I managed to whisper, terror shooting through me.

“No”—Orion reached for me—“not Charon.” He looked back and forth between me and the advancing figure.

His eyebrows scrunched, head tilting like he was trying to make up his mind about something.