Shorter and more violent? A spirit that used them for a host? All of it sounded... a lot worse, actually, than Espie's own abilities. At least everything about being an Artisan felt as natural as breathing did. Art was always meant to be a part of Espie's life, and practicing it in it's new capacities was thrilling.

No wonder Sophie had looked so frustrated when she left the room earlier.

"Kind of the short end of the stick, huh?" Espie tried in an almost joking tone. There wasn't anything to say to make it better, so she hoped light joking might ease some of the tension. If the garden didn't already. It was stunning. It made Espie want to sit down and take out her sketchbook.

"How long have you had one of those Bloodsingers in you?"