I sat at the table, facing Raethnn and her people, with Zinnia on one side and Ram on the other. He seemed as fully recovered as I was, though I worried he might push himself too far, too soon. Sassafras perched in my lap, tail thrashing, while I filled everyone in on what I learned.

I was just finishing when Theridialis entered, leaning heavily on Bakari. My chair legs scraped the floor as I stood, Sass leaping to the table top, and rushed forward, my magic supporting the ...