“Did you talk to him?” Eric asked, Seren yawned.

“No. I went straight to my room I didn’t say anything to him.” Seren said, trying to force their eyes to stay open. “I’m tired. Can I go to bed?”

“You spent all day in bed and your cousin is missing.” Eric said.

“That doesn’t mean I was sleeping.” Seren shook their head. Getting dizzy from watching Eric pace around the library. “You should change up your path before you wear a groove in the floor.”

“This is serious.” Eric said, stopping his pacing to look at them.

“How do we know he hasn’t just gone home or to the hospital or literally anywhere else?” Seren asked. “I mean. I’m concerned cause he’s missing, sure. But he could just be anywhere in the city.”

“The guards are looking.” Eric said, rocking back and forth until he began pacing again.

“Is this because of what happened…” Seren started but they couldn’t finish the statement. But they were thinking about Miss Jass, a recurring nightmare. Eric’s silence wasn’t soothing Seren’s anxiety.

“You didn’t do anything, right?” he asked. Seren shook their head.

“No. Never.” Seren said sternly. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to Wilbur. I want him home safe. I just. I just didn’t want him to replace me. But I never did anything to him or wanted to.”

“Okay, you can go to bed then.” Eric said, motioning them to the library door. Seren stood up and yawned again.

“Are you going to bed too?” They asked. “It’s almost midnight.”

“Soon.” Eric said. “But it’s okay for you to go on to sleep.”

“Okay.” Seren agreed. They began sleepwalking back to their room where they found the nest now more active than ever.

“What are you all doing?” They asked, closing their door.

“We have agreed to move to a more protected place.” A sprite said, bringing an armful of material toward the closet.

“Oh, good idea, you need help?” They didn’t actually want to help but felt it was right to offer.

“No, we do not wish for our home to be touched by mortal hands.” The sprite said with a polite nod. Seren looked in their closet and found the nest being rebuilt behind their shoes and coats. A perfect place.

“All right, I’m going to get into my pajamas and sleep then.” Seren said. “Did you finish the honey I brought?”

“Not yet, but thank you.”

Seren pulled their pajamas out of their dresser and went into the bathroom to change. They threw their clothes down the chute and brushed their teeth. Seren turned off the light to head back to their room.

“Why do you change in the bathroom? Is there something wrong with your room?” Eric asked, causing Seren to jump.

“Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong.” Seren said, quickly. They gathered their wits before giving their explanation. “It’s just seems more logical and efficient. Why put my clothes in a basket when I can put them directly in the chute?”

“That’s fair I suppose.” Eric said, looking at them contemplatively before heading up the stairs to the study. Seren sighed and then went to their bedroom. Turning off their light and collapsing into their bed. Watching the sprites by the light of the moon until they fell asleep.

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In the morning, Seren got up to their alarm but once they realized there was no reason to, they silenced their alarm and went back to sleep. They woke up to the sound of the doorbell. Seren rolled over but the doorbell kept ringing and no one was answering it. Seren sat up in annoyance but they then remembered Mrs. Houper wasn’t here. They groaned and got up to their feet. Finding Eric going down the stairs at the same time they were.

“You slept in,” He said as they both went down to answer the door. “Was it nice?”

“Not really, I feel worse for it actually.” Seren admitted. “Feels like I’m being lazy.”

“You’re allowed to be lazy. That’s a pretty normal thing for a kid during summer break.” Eric said.

“What’s that mean?” Seren asked, following Eric all the way to the front door.

“Hold on,” He said before opening the door. “Ah, yes. My first appointment for the day.” Seren shrugged, feeling like there was no reason to even peek at who it was.

“We’ll continue this conversation at dinner, hm?” He asked. Seren smiled and nodded. “Good, go get yourself some breakfast.” Seren turned and ran to the kitchen. Missing Mrs. Houper yelling for them to not run in the halls.

“Hi Kalyani!” Seren said. The hired kitchen master turned to them.

“There you are! I missed you this morning.” Kalyani said, “Now that Monica’s home I’m so bored and lonely here. Maybe you could keep me company, I’ll teach you how to cook.”

“That sounds okay.” Seren said, thinking it all over.

“We can gossip about everything we think of.” Kalyani said with a mischievous wink. Seren grinned, that sounded fun.

“Okay, I’ll get dressed and then can I eat while we cook?” Seren asked.

“Of course, make sure you’re wearing short sleeves. I think I have an apron around here somewhere.” Kalyani turned from her washing to find an apron Seren’s size. Seren ran upstairs and to their room. Getting dressed and running back down to the kitchen.

“Here’s an apron for you,” Kalyani handed them an apron and brought out a stool for them to stand at the counter with. “I haven’t started anything yet, so what do you want for dinner? You’re making it, you can pick.” Seren thought hard about what they wanted to eat.

“Uhm. Can I see the options?” Seren asked.

“Of course!” Kalyani said and brought up a large and well loved recipe book. “I’ve collected these recipes from my family and every source I can find. Take a look and see if there’s anything that speaks to you.” Seren opened the recipe book and started flipping through the pages slowly. Passing by cakes, cookies, biscuits, stews, steaks, and dishes of all kinds. They stopped at a recipe that sounded delicious.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had pay-ella.” Seren said, Kalyani chuckled.

“It’s Paella. Pie Ey Ah. It’s delicious.” Kalyani said. “It’s a seafood dish. That’ll require a trip to the markets. Would you like to come with me?”

“Sure. I have to tell Eric first.” Seren said. “But I bet he’ll let me go as long as it’s with you.”

“Good, I’ll make up a list of ingredients we need to get and you get permission.” Kalyani took off her apron and held out her hand for Seren’s. Seren handed it over happily and then ran upstairs all the way to the third floor where they stopped. Their first instinct was to enter without hesitation, as had always been their right. But now they had to stop and remember they weren’t allowed in there anymore. It was all different. They hesitantly raised their hand and knocked.

“Come in.”

Seren opened the door and stepped inside.

“Kalyani and I are going to make dinner, but we need to go to the market.” Seren said. “May I go with her?”

“You may but stay with Kalyani and don’t wander off.” Eric said.

“Yes! Thank you!” Seren waved and ran out of the study. Taking care to shut the door behind them. They ran down to their room and got ready to go, finding their library book. They shoved it into their bag and grabbed some money in case there was something they wanted at the market. Before they stepped out they went back to their closet, knocking tentatively.

“Excuse me, I’m running to the market and I was wondering if there’s anything you need?” Seren asked, opening the closet and speaking into the closet.

“We need more to grow the hive.” Whispered a voice.

“Okay, I’ll grab something.” Seren said before closing the closet again. They stood up and then left their room. Making sure the door was closed tightly. Then running downstairs to find Kalyani ready to go too.

“Did you get permission?” She asked.

“Yup. Oh, also. Can we go by the library? I need to return this book.” Seren opened their bag enough to show the spine of the library book.

“I don’t see why not, we can do that first.” Kalyani agreed, double checking she had everything she needed. “All right, let’s get out of here.”