Ash comes to my side, takes my elbow in her hand. "Are you all right?" Her voice is low enough only I hear it.

"Fine, thank you." I offer a trembling smile. "Just tired." It's not necessary to lie to Ash, but I want to understand what's happening to me. Thank Gaia for Bellanca, though how did she know I needed her? She and her brother have gone again.

Ash releases me, but doesn't stop staring in her closed and determined way, not until Sibyl approaches with a smile, ...