Your father called it an arrangement. You called it exile. One day you were walking the snow-covered grounds of Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland, the next you were standing in front of the black gates of Nevermore Academy with a suitcase in your hand.

The switch had been made quickly. Xavier, your older brother, had been accused of a crime at Nevermore, and the only way to quiet the rumors was to send him to Reichenbach while you took his place here. Mr. Vincent Thrope had told you it was for the family’s reputation. In truth, it felt more like you were stepping into his shadow to clean up the mess.

The first person you saw in the courtyard was Wednesday Addams. She stood alone, pale against the grey sky, her braids hanging neatly over her shoulders. When her eyes found yours, they stayed there.

“You are Xavier’s sibling,” she said simply.