Pick it up.

Cerina stepped back from the bed, her breathing shallow. She kept her eyes on the stone, dark and unyielding against the fabric of her bed. It sat there, utterly still, but her skin warmed faintly where it had grazed her ankle. The pulse she had felt wasn’t her imagination. Something about it seemed alive. But that was impossible.

She hugged herself tightly, wrapping her arms around her middle as though it would steady her, but her legs felt weak. She wondered what she could possibly do with it. Courage suddenly swelled within her. Maybe there was something strange. But it was still just a rock. She stepped forward and extended her hand, imagining the surface pressing warmly against her fingers and the palm of her hand.

Before she could touch it, there came a light knock at the door. Cerina jolted, a small gasp escaping her lips. Her courage fled from her quicker than it had come.

She turned toward the sound, her heart leaping into her throat. Another knock followed, soft but deliberate. She hesitated, her eyes flicking back to the stone.

The tall woman from the gate—calm, almost too composed—entered before Cerina could move to open the door. “It’s morning. You’ll want to start your tasks soon.”

Tasks? What tasks? Cerina swallowed hard, glancing at the stone one more time before yanking the blanket over it with trembling hands. “Is there something I’m supposed to wear?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.

But the woman was already out in the hallway, door swinging shut behind her. Cerina quickly changed into a more official-looking robe. Tasks? What tasks? She repeated to herself.

Dressed and fingers combed through her hair, Cerina crossed the room and opened the door to find the woman still standing in the hallway. Her face was serene, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She was dressed in the same robes as before, but her hair was drawn back into a smooth braid that glimmered faintly in the soft light.

“Did you sleep well?” the woman asked, her tone polite but devoid of genuine curiosity. Her dark eyes studied Cerina closely, making her shift uncomfortably.

“Not really,” Cerina admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman gave a small, unreadable smile. “It’s common for newcomers. Adjusting takes time.”

Cerina nodded but said nothing, unwilling to divulge more. Her gaze darted to the floor, then back up, as if expecting the woman to start some sort of lecture.

The woman gestured down the hall. “Follow me. I’ll show you where to begin. There are rhythms you’ll need to complete each day. Structure is important here.”

As they walked, the woman spoke in an even, measured tone. “Each day, you’ll rise at first light. You’re to walk the garden outside the north wing. Avoid the woods.”

“Avoid them?” Cerina asked, frowning. The warning sent a chill up her spine.

“You’ll understand.” The woman’s smile widened, but it wasn’t comforting. “After that, you will take the book you brought down into the lower halls. There you must search for inscriptions on the walls which match the words in the book.”

Cerina opened her mouth, but the woman continued without pause.

“Today that is all. In time, you will do more.”

Cerina felt a knot forming in her stomach. “What if…” She hesitated, her voice catching. “What if I don’t understand?”

The woman stopped and turned to face her, placing a firm hand on Cerina’s shoulder “All who come here have **** but to learn. None has ever left without greater knowledge.”

Cerina nodded reluctantly, though the words filled her with unease. As they moved out into the morning, Cerina felt the oppressive weight of the place settle more heavily around her.

“These are the gardens. I’ll leave you to it.”