Mag-log inI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
IrisUnfortunately, the champagne winds up doing very little to calm my frayed nerves as I weave through the crowd, staying close to the walls where I’m less likely to be noticed. Every few minutes, I catch a glimpse of Veronica’s glittering red gown across the room, and my stomach performs somersau
“Quite the turnout,” I murmur to Alice.“Told you,” she says, snagging two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handing one to me. Goddess knows I’ll need it tonight. “Everyone who’s anyone is here. And they’re all talking about the art program. You did it, Iris.”I can’t help but feel a f
Iris“You’re fidgeting again,” Alice says from the doorway of her office, which she’s graciously loaned me as a dressing room for the night.I catch my own reflection in the full-length mirror, and realize that yes, I am indeed fidgeting—smoothing down my dress for the thousandth time, running my fi
The Beta shifts uncomfortably. “Well, sir, given your recent absence, and the, uh, public perception of your… vacation, it would be… inadvisable to miss an event of this magnitude.”Beside me, Veronica straightens. “Public perception? What are you implying, boy?”The Beta’s face reddens. “Nothing, m







