Lucas Thissel has something he fears: an alien species of palm-sized glass fairies called Lucent Sylphs. They came through a portal from a parallel, metaphysical dimension, and they indenture themselves as slaves to human beings. Too much neglect or unkindness, and they will cloud over and disintegrate. Too much love and their hearts are overcome and burst. And one has attached herself to him.Lucas Thissel has something he fears: an alien species of palm-sized glass fairies. They are Lucent Sylphs. They started arriving recently, in the middle of the United Statues, from a parallel, metaphysical dimension, and they indenture themselves, as slaves to human beings, in exchange for gold.A Lucent Sylph does not eat or sleep, but is fueled on human emotion. Her insides are made up of a single giant heart that captures and feeds off of the strong feelings around her. Too much neglect or unkindness, and a Lucent Sylph will cloud over and disintegrate. Too much love and attachment, and the heart will be overcome and burst.The first one Lucas saw in person was owned by his friend. She had a name.Nissa.His friend, who owned her, had no self-control. She would die.