Maureen opens the double doors leading to the dining hall, and I can see what looks like at least a hundred girls eating at the dining tables. I can't believe I'm going to join them as a girl, as Jasmine... as myself. It used to be alright in elementary school because we would just eat at our desks, and I always had Janet beside me.

Chapter 8: Anna!

Say whatever he would about these changes to his body, there was no denying that through it all, Linus felt alive. For the first time since Beth’s betrayal, he actually felt emotion. Fear may have been the primary feeling, but at least his malaise was gone. This revelation gave him pause. Could what was happening be a good thing? Were the gods sending me a present? Am I being offered a new life? A chance to start over?

September 22, 2016, Fortis Beach, Florida

As midnight neared, a gibbous moon partially lit the fall equinox evening in a silvery glow. A warm breeze whispered across the cemetery's rolling hills, stirring the leaves of the ancient oak looming over the two young women.

"Justice delayed is justice denied."

“Janet! Janet! Wake up!” I kick my mattress with the back of my feet to get the attention of my sister down below. My twin groaned. “What time is it?”

I go down the ladder of our bunkbed as she says this, then sit on the edge of her mattress. “It’s 5 AM.”

My sister throws her pillow at me. “C’mon, Jasmine. It’s too early. Let me sleep.”

The bus was carrying only two passengers, and they were not together. The young woman, Payton, was twenty-three, tall and fit, and projected a commanding but grouchy, “stay away from me” exterior. She was heading east to make a new start.

The other passenger was an eighteen-year-old boy, Arden, who was small and slender, unsure of himself, and was fleeing an unhappy home situation.

A heavy thunderstorm was pounding the bus as it navigated up a steep and winding lane in the mountains. Mud had seeped onto the road, and the bus slipped sideways a few times, causing the driver and passengers to gasp and wonder when they would finally hit level ground. All they could see was tall trees on either side, crowding the road. They looked scary in the darkness, at least to Arden they did. He was just wondering what he was going to do with himself when they got to the town when the bus slid again, and then, horrifyingly, plummeted over the side.

Chalon Road, Los Angeles, California:
Fey wakes the next morning at the mansion Nike brought her, Sammy, and Dave to. The woman Nike introduced her to was beautiful-looking. She had shoulder-length blonde hair, olive skin, and blue eyes. The woman managed to return her skin and hair to their natural color.

Jack, Nick, and Cheshire along with their pets have made their way to the temple. All of them were exhausted and had numerous cuts, bruises, and small wounds covering their bodies. Even Sher Khan and Chaos had blood coming from wounds covering their bodies.

Chaos was favoring his right paw. A hunter set a trap and he stepped right into the trap. Jack tended to his injured paw, but it still bothered him.
Samson was resting on Nick’s arm as they stood inside the temple. They spotted a gem hovering over a pit in midair. The pit was to big to jump across.

Star Light Agency, Los Angeles, California:
A lone figure dressed all in black moves around looking at the ruined office. They had a penlight in their hand as they followed the blast pattern where the explosion had occurred. The person was being very careful because the damage was very extensive.

In Which I Have A Conversation Through The Door, And Wait For That Person’s Return

My body felt heavy and someone’s hand was gently holding mine. Everything was soft and warm, I seemed to be sleeping in a very comfortable bed. My eyes slowly blinked open.

The person formerly know as Sasha who was currently inhabiting my body smiled down at me tenderly. “Hey, pet… you okay?” She petted my arm softly with her free hand, and I pulled away my hand from hers, which she didn’t stop, although she frowned slightly.

Chapter 14: In Which, Despite Being Able To Presumably Kill Princess Asperia At Will, I Feel Very Much Not In Control Of The Situation

We were lead down into what looked like some sort of, I don’t know, alchemist’s place or something– vials and bottles and stranger glass devices everywhere. On top of a couch, which was inside a circle with all sorts of intricate glyph engraved on the stone around it, lay Sasha.

She was, apparently, asleep.

Chapter 12: In Which I Am Sorry I Used The Metaphor Too Soon, This Time Literal Cards Are Hitting The Literal Table

The Royal Garden of Eusthyne, the place where those looking for admittance to the Night Court waited for their invitation. It was surprisingly unkempt, with plants growing all over the place in a lot of places, yet barren in other parts, stagnant pools of water filled with algae. We were dressed in black robes, which was the apparent custom of the Night Court to conceal identities, but Valentine still stood out thanks to her relatively huge size.