I almost panicked, except I knew her face, her dark hair, the blue of her eyes. My grandmother, Ethpeal Hayle, looked like Mom, only a little older, though she'd aged from fear and weariness. I caught just a glimpse of her making it through before she grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.

Love attack. My favorite.

My heart wept as she rocked me, lips on my cheek, heart pounding against me. "Girl," she whispered in my ear. "Oh, ...