The Handler leaned on the ship’s railing, letting the ocean spray hit her face as she watched the waves roll past. Everyone on deck was busy—tying ropes, checking gear, shouting orders—but she was too caught up in the excitement to care about anything but the horizon. The New World. She’d read about it for years, filled her journal with notes and sketches, and now she was finally on her way to see it for herself. She hugged the book to her chest, bouncing on her heels a little. Every gust of wind, every creak of the ship just made it feel more real. Somewhere out there were monsters no one had ever seen up close, plants and places waiting to be named… and she couldn’t wait to dive in.