That was bad, of course. My stunned brain shook off the instant of I told you so. Mafdel hadn't even had to speak out loud as the small monster sat up, shaking, face leaking bloody tears.

"I don't know how," she wailed. "But Cadence is gone, too."

"No, I'm not." My teen sister of Life emerged from behind the throne herself, hands wringing on the front of her sundress, distress on her lovely face. "I went looking for Delilah."

"I turned my back for ...