Chapter 53

ACHILLES. Sleeping next to Claudia gave me the best sleep I’ve had in what feels like a decade, but when I wake up and realize that I need to face another day of not knowing what’s happening, I feel all the energy I gathered the entire night slip off me like a flimsy robe. Claudia is still asleep when I get up and get ready, so I kiss her on the cheek and set out to visit the neighborhood where her people are settling in. Unlike a lot of people in the palace, they are already up and working on the plans that we made a week ago, which is putting more insulation material in the roofs of their houses to prepare for the winter storms. To my surprise, Kiernan is among them, testing out new electric tools that I know for sure he just invented. “Good morning, Alpha,” the villagers greet with a smile, and I pat them all on the back as a way of greeting and gratitude. Only then does Kiernan look up. “Good morning.” I nod in response, heading to his side and helping him with the roof tile