A short story set in 19th-century London, England. It tells the life of Moorish sculptor Achille Diouf through the eyes of his new housemaid, Hetty Thompson. The divergent worlds of Victorian Britain and African Moorish culture blend and collide, friendships sprout and bloom, and cultural identities are reclaimed -- all beneath the overcast of a harrowing curse, which leads to unforgivable tragedy.

Celeste is the daughter of the Citizen Principia, but when she stumbles upon a conspiracy and is kidnapped by rebels, the future of Verium rests in her hands. ***** Celeste Navarie is the sixteen-year-old daughter of the Citizen Principia, which means she lives a life of privilege in a dystopian world that allows no personal freedom. Celeste dreams of adventure and smuggles herself beyond the walls regularly, to purchase books and documents from the outside world. During her journeys, she uncovers a conspiracy: members of the palace staff are part of the rebellion, and she finds evidence her father is a murderous tyrant. Not sure who to trust, Celeste is kidnapped and has no way to escape. The future of Verium rests on Celeste's shoulders, and if she makes a mistake it will doom not just her, but everyone. [[word count: 50,000-60,000 words]]