Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars.

You're listening to The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean, narrated by Katie Eric.

Act 4. Dawn. Chapter 22. Father Son and Holy Spirit. Present day. It isn't fair and it isn't right. Aren't we people too? All families are family. The collector made us all, each for our purposes, even if we no longer follow those purposes so strictly.

We are no more or less deserving of compassion or the right to free lives than the book eaters are. Why should we live

under lock and key? Weston must agree to set us free. Give us the secrets of redemption.

Allow us to emancipate the other dragons, the least of what we deserve. And if he does not agree,

then I will do what I must, whatever it takes.

Killock Ravenscar, private journal. The Ravenscar siblings stood in the grey winter light of the

first library, with Manny quietly occupying the far corner, all three of them listening in perfect silence.

Devon sat with hands tucked behind her knees, gazing out through the windows.

Traquere's garden maze filled the window view, dark and overgrown.

Even in bright winter sunlight, it looked the way her life felt, tangled, full of dead

ends. Into the breathy stillness, Killick said. And afterward? How did you escape the premises?

After Kai ate his father's mind, I found Matley's keys, cleaned out his private safe,

and got the hell out. Her gaze wandered, drinking in the room. Shadows played over rows

of vintage books on oaken shelves. Darkness soothed the eye, thick carpets cushioned bare feet.

The scent of softly ageing paper and warm wood encompassed them. She had missed this kind of house,

she thought, and felt chagrined. Years of wanting to get away from the families and their manners, yet here she was,

revelling in that environment.

Once a princess, always a princess.

The Easterbrooks didn't give chase.

Manny pulled out a notepad and began scribbling.

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