When the crazy old lady laughed, I relaxed. No fight pending, then. She was having too much fun not to follow through. Knowing there was a catch coming didn't bother me at the moment. I'd deal with it, right?

Yeah, tell yourself another one, Hayle. Because I instantly tensed again when she spoke.

Other shoe? About to make a massive thunk when it dropped.

Of course, she sent then, shocking me with her words, though the power has been Ethie's all along. Her ...