As it happens, I'm...not entirely sure about leaving the house.

It's been a long time since I've done so and the idea of venturing beyond the stone walls causes an ominous roiling in my stomach. But it calms when I look at Julia. So that's what I do. I stare at her like an utter maniac, soaking up her goodness and light, hoping it can pervade the darkest parts of me. And she seems to sense my disquiet, a gentle frown marring the place between her brows.

"Curtis," she says, patting her brother ...