Judging by the purple bruises under Raf's eyes, Morgan surmised he'd been awake all night. She had hardly slept, either.

  In her quiet moments, Morgan used to wonder why people were so quick to admire and follow Raf. In her darkest moments, when she was all alone, she resented him for it. He was two years younger than her, but still, she always trusted and believed in him, even as a baby. Now that the truth was out, suddenly, it made sense. The faith everyone had in him, the admiration she held for her baby brother: it was all magic, an innocent consequence of his very existence.

  They ate breakfast in silence, and she glanced over at him, wondering, did he ever doubt himself before last night? Did he never question why everyone treated him special? Does he doubt himself now, now that he knows the truth, that they were magically compelled to trust him and follow him? By the weight of his shoulders and the silence that followed him, he seemed wracked with doubt.

  Now that Morgan knew the truth, she doubted him, too, and wondered if it was her doubt or his. The guards and servants surrounding Raf, too, seemed unsure and sluggish. Were they grappling with their own insecurities, she wondered, or Raf's?

  To complicate things further, Brother Timothy walked into the dining hall, looking smug. He eyed Raf hungrily, and waves of dread swept over Morgan; even the guards shuddered, but Morgan and Raf concealed it expertly. Reynard taught them the art of deception at an early age. The uprising, and their lives, relied on the ability to lie convincingly.

  Timothy's smile was unnerving and unrelenting. "You ate. Gross. Let's go."

  The siblings shared a confused glance but followed dutifully. The smile never left Timothy's face, like the face of a mannequin. He led them out of the castle and to the stone benches carved into the cliffside. The wind whistled like a ceiling overhead. The view of the island was breathtaking. But far across the ocean, a pillar of smoke rose off the smoldering island of Inari, the ruined home of the firefox, an ever-present reminder of Adam's terrible crimes and power.

  Timothy smiled at them as they hurried to sit, and Morgan wondered if it would be possible to shove him over the cliff. Is that why he brought them to the cliff room? It was a bold move for their first day of instruction. Was he threatening them or taunting them? Both or neither? After a long and uncomfortable silence, Timothy finally began speaking.

  "Brother Mizzet left records of the subjects you've already covered, but before I can teach you, I need to test your knowledge myself. You will each take turns reciting the history of Eden to me, starting with Morgan."

  He looked at Morgan, and her heart started pounding. She cleared her head and got her story straight, concentrating on the sanctioned version, and began:

  "Almost 6000 years ago, God made Adam out of land and water to rule and protect Eden. God took a rib from Adam while he slept and made Eve to be mother of humanity. When their first son Cain murdered their second son Abel, God cursed Cain and banished him to Nod."

  "Good," Timothy interrupted. "Rafael." Raf cleared his throat and continued.

  "Manipulated by Lucifer and grief Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and acquired knowledge, but the fruit was cursed. From then on, her children would age and die. God appeared and spoke that humans had free will; for better or worse, they chose their destiny. God would not interfere again. Before leaving, God rewarded Adam for his obedience with godly powers, with which to guide his children."

  "Uh-huh." Something inscrutable flashed across his face as Brother Timothy turned to appreciate the view. He walked nearer the edge and directed, "Morgan."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She was ready this time. "Over the centuries, children of Adam and Eve covered the land of Garden. In the year 2288, Adam discovered a narrow land bridge that led to a new continent. The new land became known as Exile because Adam exiled criminals across the land bridge."

  "It is beautiful here," Timothy mused aloud, in wonder and hate. He seemed to have forgotten himself completely, breathing deep and gazing out over the lush island canopy, teeming with life and dancing on the wind. Far below, the Cove Market was bustling with people. The rising sun set the horizon aflame with reds and golds rippling off blue waves. Morgan saw an opportunity.

  "Is it beautiful where you're from?" She coyly inquired.

  When Timothy turned to look at her, his smile was gone. His face was void of emotion. "Where I'm from, the climates are more... unforgiving."

  Morgan gulped.

  Timothy turned back to the view. "Rafael, what happened next?" Raf hesitated a moment but continued.

  "Two millennia passed. Exile became densely populated. Societies began to develop around areas rich in rare minerals and produce. Adam permitted them a level of independence for a time, even allowing a few Exile cities to trade with cities in Garden. Before long, nations formed and amassed influence and power. Until the newly-crowned King of Atlantis declared war on Adam, believing free will meant nothing if a God like Adam ruled everyone. Adam crushed the rebellion and sank a quarter of the continent of Exile into the ocean. After that, Adam took control over Exile. He forgave the survivors, the criminals, and their children and established a Church in every city to keep the peace."

  Timothy kept his eyes on the sunrise but addressed Morgan, "Tell me the history of your island."

  "Crescent's history goes back over three millennia, when sailors were lost in a storm and crashed ashore. Each of the Vulpen islands developed their own cultures and systems of leadership. But everyone in Vulpex venerated the firefox who lived on the Island of Inari. When Adam… discovered the Vulpen Islands thirty years ago, Inari led the other islands in a rebellion. That rebellion ended when Adam destroyed Inari and killed everyone living there. Crescent and the other three islands surrendered. As terms of surrender, Vulpen leadership married Gardeners, and Adam established a Church on every island."

  "And why did Adam kill the firefox, Rafael?" Timothy asked.

  "Because mankind has been at war with the fae folk since the winged serpent deceived Eve long ago. Immortals are insidious. They say they want to help, but they sow insurrection. The firefox were heretics and deceivers. We're safer now they're gone." Raf's answer seemed unconvincing to Morgan. They would need to practice that line more.

  "Hm. That will do," Timothy reluctantly turned to address them. His mannequin smile returned. "That brings us to your first assignment: I believe a fae survivor is hiding somewhere on this island. I suspect they are killing people, and I task you to find them and capture them, preferably alive.

  "Rafael, to be Steward of Vulpex, you must prove your loyalty and your usefulness to the Godfather. Bring me the fae, dead or alive, and you will have done both."

  Raf's mouth opened and closed soundlessly. Finally, he said, "Of course, I avail myself to Godfather Adam in every way. Where should we begin our investigation?"

  "We? You're including Morgan?" Timothy referred to her as if she weren't standing in front of him. She bristled, but she was used to it from the clergy.

  "Morgan is my right hand. She goes where I go," Raf responded.

  Timothy took an aggressive step forward. "A day will come when your big sister isn't around to carry you. You need to stand on your own two feet."

  "Morgan and I stand together," Raf said, firmly closing the discussion.

  Morgan's chest swelled with pride. She believed in her little brother. It wasn't magic. It wasn't the Holy Ghost. Raf believed in her. He helped her believe in herself. What Morgan wanted most in life was to live up to the person he saw her to be.

  Brother Timothy didn't react for a few seconds, then said, "Very well," unblinkingly. "I compiled a report of my conclusions." Timothy pulled out a scroll from a mystery pocket in his black robes and handed it to Raf. "I suggest you study this on your way to the Church mortuary to inspect the victim's bodies. They may provide some clue as to what species of fae we're dealing with."

  Brother Timothy turned again to face the sunrise, dismissing them.