The night was as silent as death when Katelina dashed outside for a last minute outhouse visit. Jorick stayed behind in the cabin, his face visible at the window, but his attention on the conversation he had with Oren. Like a child she'd been admonished to go straight there and straight back, as if she'd want to go for a nature hike in the dark.

She had a brief view of colored ribbons in the sky before she shut herself in the dilapidated shed. When she finished, she slipped ...