The world was silent when I opened my eyes. Quiet, like a held breath, but not dead.
The smooth, dimly glowing ground beneath me was not made of stone or soil. I didn't realize it was light for a few seconds. I got up and brushed my fingers across the air, which felt a little too soft, as if it had been filtered through memory.
I couldn't see the moon, but there were buildings—small, crooked houses of glass and pale wood. Chimneys emitted smoke. Somewhere far away, I heard laughter—children perhaps—but it was gone before I could find it.
Then a voice.
"Good morning, Ravenna."
I turned quickly. Standing behind a silver apple stall, a woman smiled as if she had said the same greeting a hundred times, as usual. Something about her face made my stomach turn.
I forced a smile. "Do I know
