That night, as Charlotte gets ready for bed, there's a soft knock on her door.

  "Come in."

  Aki slips inside, closing the door behind her. She stands there awkwardly, picking at the edge of her bandage.

  "I'm sorry," Charlotte blurts out before Aki can speak. "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to, I swear, I just—"

  "I know." Aki's voice is quiet. "Mama explained. About the magic and the fear and everything." She pauses. "I was really mad at you."

  "You had every right to be."

  "Yeah. But..." Aki looks up, meeting Charlotte's eyes. "I'm not mad anymore. I mean, my arm still hurts, but I get it now. You weren't trying to hurt me. You were just scared."

  Charlotte's throat tightens. "I'm still scared."

  "Of hurting people?"

  "Of everything." The admission comes out as a whisper. "Of magic, of school, of not being good enough, of—" She stops, overwhelmed.

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  Aki crosses the room and sits on the edge of Charlotte's bed. Carefully, keeping her distance. "Can I tell you something?"

  Charlotte nods.

  "I'm scared too. Of school, I mean. Last year was hard. Some of the older kids were mean, and I didn't have many friends, and..." She trails off. "I guess what I'm saying is, everyone's scared of something. You're not alone."

  "It feels like I am."

  "You're not." Aki's voice is firm. "You have me now. I mean, if you want. We can be friends. Real friends."

  Charlotte looks at this girl—this brave, kind girl who has every reason to hate her but is offering friendship anyway—and something warm blooms in her chest.

  "I'd like that."

  Aki grins. "Good. Because you're totally gonna need a friend at Aelwynne. That place is huge and confusing, and the stairs move sometimes, and—"

  "The stairs move?"

  "Oh yeah. It's wild. But don't worry, I'll show you around." Aki stands. "I should let you sleep. Big day tomorrow—we're getting your school stuff."

  After Aki leaves, Charlotte lies in bed and touches the pocket watch in her nightstand drawer—her father's watch. Then she touches the bracelet on her wrist—her mother's bracelet.

  She thinks about Anne, who'd given her up to keep her safe. About Liant, who'd died protecting her. About Mark and Malina, who'd raised her with love even though she wasn't theirs by blood.

  And now about Aki, who is offering friendship even after Charlotte hurt her.

  Maybe, Charlotte thinks, she isn't as alone as she'd believed.

  Maybe she can do this after all.