Chapter 1

She felt a comforting warmth on her skin as she slowly woke up. Maybe her mom had finally given in and lit a fire in the fireplace downstairs. When she asked about it yesterday, her mother replied: "In Thadros' name is Rosalinde; it's still summer. Just ask Tyrwen for an extra blanket!" Rosalinde hated waking up in the morning feeling cold, so she asked their butler for an extra blanket and went to bed.

As she lay in her bed, she relished the warmth. It felt like a warm hug from a good friend. Or at least, that's what she imagined a hug from a good friend felt like… comforting, warm, ensuring… not that she knew anything about having a real friend.

"Rosalinde!"

No, it can't be morning already, she thought as she turned to her other side, pulling the blankets over her head.

It went silent again. Maybe she had imagined it. Rosalinde tried to fall back asleep, enjoying the warmth. But it was almost... too warm. Suppose her mom intended to light the fireplace. Why in Ydana's name did she tell Rosalinde to grab an extra blanket before going to bed?

She started to sweat. It felt almost like the fireplace was in her room instead of downstairs. She pulled the blankets slightly lower to cool down but tried to stay as still as possible, hoping she would doze off again.

"Rosalinde, wake up!"

This time, the voice was loud, urgent, and direct. Rosalinde immediately opened her eyes, staring into Dex's familiar red face. One pitch-black eye and one emerald green eye stared at her intently. "Rosalinde, GET UP!"

She blinked, and Dex's face was gone. Now, more evident than before, she heard the crackling sound of burning wood. She sat up, and to her horror, she saw that her room was on fire. Flames were licking the walls and the ceiling, hungry to consume whatever was in their way.

Rosalinde stared at the fire. There was something beautiful about how the colours kept changing from a deep crimson to a vibrant orange and then this bright yellow at the top. It was mesmerising, like a dance of fiery, thin elemental creatures.

"Rosalinde!"

She looked at the door; Dex was standing in front of it.

"I know that it draws you in; I understand the beauty of it. But this is too much for me to protect you. You need to get out!"

As she blinked, he disappeared again. This was serious. If Dex couldn't protect her... it was serious. She jumped out of bed and let out a scream of agony as her feet made contact with the scorching flames on the ground.

No time to lose, Rosie. She heard in her head. Get out now!

She held her arms and hands high, protecting her face and eyes as she went outside. The large mansion was filled with smoke, making it challenging to make out shapes. Her parents slept on the opposite side of the mansion. Rosalinde had no idea if she could make it there, and if she could, would they still be there? Maybe they were already outside. Surely they would have come for her, to save her?

Forget about them, get out! She heard again.

Her heart sank, and it felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. "What do you mean forget about them?" She called out. "What if they are still alive?" No response.

She knew going left would be the fastest way to her parents' quarters. But if she wanted to get outside, she had to go right. She knew exactly how to get anywhere in the house. For the first time in her life, Rosalinde was grateful that her parents mostly kept her inside.

For your own safety, Rosie. She heard them say in her head.

She hated it, but at least because of it, she knew every centimetre of this house from front to back, every corner, every painting and piece of furniture. She knew exactly which floorboard creaked and behind which curtain she could hide if she wanted to sneak out. She knew where her dad kept the good liquor and where her mom hid the sweet treats she bought from the market. She knew where the servants would meet to exchange gossip. She knew it all.

She closed her eyes, made a quick decision, turned to her right and took a step. Immediately, she felt his hands yanking her back.

"What did I just say, Rosie? Forget about them, get out of the house." She could tell he was getting agitated.

"But what if.."

He interrupted her, "Don't make me do it."

She looked at his eyes, which were black and emerald green, just like hers. There was a pleading look in them, a look she had never seen before.

"You wouldn't.." she said.

"Don't test me," he growled, disappearing again. Now go! Trust me.

She had to trust him; she had no other choice. He was her one and only lifelong friend, her protector, her mentor, her patron. She believed that he wanted her to be safe; there was good in him. No matter what all the books in the library had said about his kind, their manners and ways, their deals, how they lied, killed and bargained. There was good in him. She closed her eyes to protect them from the smoke. She followed her instinct until she opened the front door and stood outside on the grass, watching a beautiful sea of red, orange and yellow devour her home.