Father came forward and did the very last thing I expected him to do. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.

“Silly child,” he said, not unkindly. “I’m sending you to a forensic medicines school. It’s one of the very best in Europe. Took all of my connections and your uncle’s good word to secure you a place in the class. You leave for Romania in a week.”

I pulled back enough to look Father in the eyes. There was something there that stole my breath and boosted my spirit: pride. My father was proud of me, and he was giving me the freedom I so longed for. This time when the tears came they were for an entirely different reason. “Is this truly real? Or am I dreaming?”

I must’ve looked like a fish taken from the water, gulping at air. I shut my mouth and stared at Father. How he approved of this was truly miraculous. Or a delusion. I studied him, trying to decide if he’d been abusing the tonic again.

He chuckled at my worried expression. “Thomas has assured us he’ll watch out for you while you’re both away. He’s quite the responsible young gentleman, from what I hear.”

My brows shot up. “Thomas is… he’s going, too?”

Father nodded. “It was his idea.”

“Oh?” I couldn’t believe it. Thomas had won over my father just as he said he would. Clearly, this meant the end times were near. I hugged my father, still not quite believing my luck. “This is all wonderful, but… why?”

Father held me close. “I’ve tried in my own way to protect you from the harshness and diseases of the world. But men—and young women—weren’t meant to live in gilded cages. There’s always a chance some contagion will find a way in. I trust you to change that. In order to do so you must venture out into the world, my sweet girl. Promise me one thing, will you?”

“Anything, Father.”

“Always foster and grow that unquenchable curiosity of yours.”

I smiled. That was a promise I fully intended to keep.