Charlotte was gone when we returned to Harvard, though Sass and Gram remained. Varity sat in casual languor, long legs crossed, foot bouncing on the end of her bobbing knee, a grin on her face.

"Hear you need some help raising the dead," she said.

"Something like that." Dread washed over me at the thought of returning to the cavern below, though I didn't know why. Maybe I'd had enough of death, thanks. Regardless, if we were going ...