PROLOGUE

In a dream I had many times, I was walking up the stairway. Flames were licking at my face and hair, but I didn’t feel the heat. Somewhere below, my father was calling to me, demanding I come back.

I didn’t stop.

At the top, the flames looked more like they were beckoning to me, inviting me into them. There was a clear but narrow strip of floor that I followed until I was in Mama’s room. She was still sleeping.

I yelled for her, and she opened her eyes and then sat up.

I think she saw me, but instantly she turned into smoke and was gone.

And like always, I woke up with a scream.