Gemma
April 17, 1901
New York City
Those you've known,
And lost, still walk behind you.
All alone,
Their song still seems to find you.
They call you,
As if you knew their longing-
They whistle through the lonely wind,
The long blue shadows falling.
Those You've Known, Spring Awakening
Seven years has passed since my mother took her own life in a busy market in Bombay on my 16th birthday. Her death marked the beginning of a bittersweet journey that I will always carry with me. I find it impossible to forget that fateful day when I first had a vision. It was also the first day I met Kartik, the man who has haunted my dreams since. No matter how hard I try I cannot erase the memories of the hurt and betrayal I felt when I learned my mother was the one who destroyed the Order by making a pact with the dark spirits of the Winterlands. It still stings when I remember the last time I saw her face in the realms—a place that brought so much beauty to a dark and dismal world. Sometimes I still reflect on Miss. Moore and how she betrayed me and then redeemed herself to save us all. Most of all, I remember my friends who stood by me through it all. Ann Bradshaw--the scholarship student who was my first friend; the girl who would cut herself to remember she is still alive; the girl with the most splendid voice known to human ears; the girl who I helped. Felicity Worthington--a household name that she resented; a girl with enough fire and ice to dominate a world where she was powerless; a girl who's need for power sometimes clouded her judgment; a girl who dared to be different; a girl who was my best friend. Pippa Cross- my biggest regret.
In the past six years since we parted ways, many things have changed. I am no longer Lady Hope and the powerful leader of the Order. I have not returned to the realms since before I left London. Now, in New York, I live a life as a writer. I work for a living and enjoy it immensely. I am not married and never shall be. I have few friends because I keep mostly to myself. My father passed away two years ago in Bombay. The last time I saw my brother, Tom, and my Grandmother was when I attended the funeral. Last I heard, Tom is betrothed to Cicely Temple, a girl from my past that I want nothing to do with ever again. It is for this reason, I will not attend the wedding. I have no intentions of returning to London ever again.
Ann Bradshaw is now a famous actress and she tours around with her group a lot. I saw her last month when she was in town for a show. It was a real treat. She looks spectacular on the arm of Charlie, her peer and consort. They are to be married within the year. As for Felicity, neither Ann nor I have heard from her in quite some time. I imagine she is living in France with her mother and her father's ward, Little Polly. I do not know if Felicity has found love since Pippa.
My eyes flutter open with a start. I cannot escape the vivid nightmares I have been having night after night for the last month. All I want is sleep. I sit up and try to remember everything that has happened in these dreams. Each night I find myself wandering through the realms. I always end up at the Tree. When I reach out to touch the bark the sky crumbles and I fall as the night sky folds me in it. Flashes of light haunt me as I fall. There are glimpses of my friends, the ones I've lost along the way. I see Circe hanging from the Tree reaching out with the dagger. I see Asha and the Centaurs. I see Gorgon. And right before I wake, his face appears pleading for my help.
I force my body out of bed and to my mirror. Upon examining myself I can see so much of my mother in me. With the sun beating through the window and hitting my hair I look exactly like she did. My green eyes are startling due to the black rings lining them. After washing up and dressing, I decide to take a walk. On my way out of my upper class suburban apartments, I check my mail. Inside my box I find a letter from Mrs. Nightwing at Spence. So much for taking a walk. I saunter back to my room and tear the letter open wishing it had never arrived.
Miss. Doyle,
It has been so very long since I wrote last and I apologize. I have been exceedingly busy trying to manage Spence and the increasing numbers of girls attending. I hope all is well with you in America. I know you do not want to come back to London, but I am putting together a reunion ball for the current students to meet the alumni. I would appreciate it greatly if you could come visit us for a week or two. I will provide you with lodging and food. Miss. Temple, Miss. Poole, and Miss. Hawthorne have all already agreed to come. Miss. Bradshaw has said she will attempt to come in between planning for the wedding. As for Miss. Worthington, I do not even know her current location. She most likely will not be able to come unless someone can find her. Once again, it would be a great joy if you were to come. Please respond to tell me whether to expect you or not. The arrival date is May 3 and you would be welcome to leave whenever you want. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Lillian Nightwing
I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do. I cannot just not attend if Ann is going. She will be tortured alive by the others. But I have no desire to go unless Felicity attends. Where is Felicity? She would not have left Paris without telling someone, would she? Something feels off about the letter from Nightwing. I cannot trust that she would plan a reunion for our class for no reason. And the dreams about the realms make me feel like I need to return. It is like I am being called forth. As much as I wish it weren't true, I will go to the reunion. But first, I have to find Felicity. I swore I would not go back, yet here I go.