Dear Diary,

  Today is the ten-year anniversary of when I survived the Mark of Tar’Tesh — a moment that completely changed my perspective on life and shaped me into who I am today.

  It was terrifying while it was happening, but I made it through thanks to Grampa Prosic and his allies. He’s not my real grandfather, but he’s the closest thing I’ve ever had. That night, while we were all kept in the cathedral, Prosic and the adventurers he once fought beside told me stories to keep me distracted.

  It worked.

  Ever since, all I’ve ever dreamed about is fighting and adventuring with people like them. Prosic can’t fight anymore, but he told me his old crew plans to return next year to defend Melrose if Tar’Tesh ever comes back. Father Tilden believes the fiend is gone for good.

  Still… I hope that in one year, I’ll be ready. Ready to stand beside them. Ready to be one of them.

  Until next time.

  The window beside my bed shuddered from the wind, rain spraying against the glass. I stretched long and let out an annoyed yawn, already knowing I’d have to venture out into it today.

  I glanced at my hand.

  Nothing again.

  But today, it meant more.

  “Ten years,” I murmured, still staring at my palm.

  I forced myself out of bed and began preparing for the day. Tee Tee hopped around my shelves while I dressed. I reached for my umbrella and noticed him sitting beside the stuffed squirrel I’d gotten ten years ago to the day. It had stayed there for years now.

  I’d learned quite a bit about its enchantment since then.

  Dream Items were usually made with a simple spell called Soothe, mixed with a sleep charm. When I was a child, it had sounded like the most incredible magic in the world. Now, knowing it was just a cantrip even the youngest magi could learn, it had lost some of its wonder.

  I slapped my leg, and Tee Tee bounded up onto me.

  I walked downstairs into an empty house. My father and Martha had taken Jacob to Enroten. I would’ve gone, but I’d promised to watch Annie — and honestly, I had too many things on my mind.

  I thought about the carnival city. We’d gone there when I was around Jacob’s age, too. I’d told him not to be scared while there. For all its strange and questionable residents, it was without a doubt the safest place in Lindor — all under the watchful eye of the Showman, Boris Bouyon, and his allies. Father Tilden and Prosic both said his power was unmatched.

  The Master Illusionist.

  It always confused me — someone with such unspeakable strength choosing to run a circus.

  Still, my memories of Enroten were strong, and I was grateful for them.

  I rummaged through my father’s pots and found some cashews. Day seventeen of my miserable life eating like the High Ranger. I had to admit, though, my energy hadn’t dropped at all. And if I could even get close to Graysia’s lean build, it would be worth it.

  I opened the door, handed a cashew to Tee Tee — who chirped in delight — opened my umbrella, locked up, and stepped out into the downpour.

  I walked with purpose, quick enough to outrun the worst of the rain but slow enough not to splash through puddles like a child. Tee Tee squirmed from one shoulder to the other, tail twitching irritably. He wasn’t a cat by any means, but he certainly shared their dramatic disdain for water.

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  I handed him another cashew to calm him. He accepted it with a small chirp of approval and began nibbling while keeping one suspicious eye on the sky.

  The market didn’t close for weather like this — Melrose was sturdier than that — but stalls rarely stayed open long when the downpour grew steady. I kept to the outskirts of the circular square until I reached my destination. I folded my umbrella just outside the heavy door and stepped inside.

  Warmth greeted me immediately.

  The scent wrapped around me like a familiar blanket.

  The Cabbage Bar was quieter than usual, the clatter of dishes echoing more than it normally would. Near the front stood Kayleigh Tosh, wiping down a table with easy grace.

  “Hey, Kayleigh,” I greeted as I approached.

  She looked up with a bright smile. Everything about Kayleigh was Melrose-perfect. Beautiful, talented, composed. She and Danni had performed nearly everywhere worth performing — taverns, the Cathedral, even the Red Post Manor. Boys had chased her attention long before I truly understood what that meant.

  But Kayleigh never wanted more than this town. She wanted to be the local girl.

  A stark contrast to me.

  “Hey, Benson,” she replied warmly. “Danni’s out back.” She tilted her head toward the kitchen.

  I nodded and slipped past the curtain.

  The back room was draped in thick black fabric — Mr. Tosh’s theatrical solution to culinary secrecy. I smiled at the overprotection and stepped through.

  Danni sat perched on a stool at the counter, peeling potatoes with a steady rhythm, head bobbing faintly as if following a melody only he could hear.

  “Need some help?” I asked as I approached.

  He jumped nearly a foot.

  “Gods—Benson!” he breathed, clutching his chest. “You can’t do that. Y’know.”

  His fright vanished the moment he saw me.

  Danni had grown into himself. His clothes were neat, posture proper, hair combed carefully back. The soft edges of boyhood had sharpened into a handsome young man. But one thing hadn’t changed.

  His voice.

  That slight tremor, that earnest nervousness whenever he tried to sound confident — it still caught him.

  Tee Tee launched from my shoulder before I could warn him.

  I giggled, already knowing what would happen.

  Danni instinctively widened his stance, grin spreading across his face. Tee Tee landed on the counter and immediately scrambled up Danni’s vest, burrowing into the front pocket like he belonged there.

  “I swear,” I muttered. “He likes you more than me.”

  Danni chuckled, scratching gently at Tee Tee’s chin. The squirrel vibrated with delight, chirping wildly as if I’d abandoned him forever.

  I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

  Then I remembered why I’d come.

  Danni noticed me scanning the room.

  “I got it right here,” he said quickly, bending down and lifting a large basket onto the counter. “Should take care of you and Annie tonight.”

  My chest tightened slightly.

  I was watching over Grandpa Prosic’s granddaughter, Annie. Prosic and his daughter — and her husband, Doug — had ported north to where Prosic had grown up. He wanted to see it one more time. He believed his body was finally giving in after centuries of service.

  The thought of losing him made something inside me ache.

  He wasn’t my real grandfather.

  But he was mine.

  Watching Annie was the least I could do. And truthfully, I adored the little dwarf girl. She hung on my stories with wide-eyed wonder. They’d never be as good as Prosic’s.

  But maybe one day.

  “Thanks, Danni,” I said softly. “You here the rest of the day?”

  He shrugged. “Most likely. Kayleigh asked if I could cover tonight. She’s got a date.”

  My head snapped up.

  “Yeah?” I leaned in. “With who?”

  He instantly looked like he regretted mentioning it.

  “Some postman,” he muttered.

  I deflated with theatrical boredom. “Oh.”

  He tried to recover quickly. “Besides, you’re at Annie’s — and Sandy’s back. R.S. is going to try to spend every second with her. Might as well stay here and earn some coin.”

  “Tomorrow night we’ll be back at your dad’s bar like always,” I assured him.

  “…Maybe I can pick you up?” he asked carefully.

  “Sure! We can plot ways to tease the lovebirds.” I responded.

  He smiled in relief, though it looked like he’d wanted to say something else and thought better of it.

  I picked up the basket and slapped my leg lightly.

  Tee Tee froze mid-chirp inside Danni’s pocket.

  He looked up at me.

  I raised an eyebrow.

  He hesitated — actually hesitated — then with visible disappointment crawled out of Danni’s vest and bounded across the counter. He leapt through the air and landed on my shoulder, chittering mournfully.

  “Don’t start,” I warned him.

  He pressed dramatically against my neck.

  Danni laughed. “He’s heartbroken.”

  “He’ll survive.”

  Tee Tee made a soft, offended sound.

  I gave Danni a small wave. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow,” he echoed.

  I slipped back through the curtain, waved to Kayleigh, and stepped once more into the rain.

  The storm hadn’t eased.

  Tee Tee tucked himself closer to my collar, still mildly betrayed.

  “Stop being a baby,” I muttered as I reopened my umbrella and headed back into the gray afternoon.

  He chirped in disdain, as mist of the rain hit his whiskers.