“This is Ember, the Council’s guardian,” Fuse said. “They are the Council’s guardian. They will unlock this ability for you.”

Ember moved no closer, but Ru felt her eyes being drawn to that void where their face should have been. Her eyes and mind focused in an uncomfortable way.

It’s just like the first time I saw them, she thought. On the street near my house. I can’t see a face under the hood, but I don’t think I’d see a face there anyway. It’s like — looking at all of the stars at once.