We paused at a table with a spread of chocolate treats, some with nut shavings, others with light pink hues and berries on top. I didn’t realize I was so hungry until the scent of the velvety rose-chocolate reached my nose. Apple nudged me toward the table. “Eat something, friend. I’ll brew you a tea. And then we’ll talk of everything that’s happened.” Her face fell as she said the last part. “Now that you’re here, perhaps we can come up with a thing to do about it all.”

I nodded. But I already knew what I was going to do about it; about Nightflesh. If everything had gone according to plan, Kaley would be getting off the train soon.

The moment Apple stepped away, a dozen Patrolmen inched toward me, some saying hello, others reaching to shake my hand, one bowing like a servant. Zane released his melodic laugh as he watched them flock me like seagulls.

“Ragnashuck sputtlepuns, mind your manners!” he said, but it was no use. As the news of my arrival trickled through the factory, young and old Patrolmen alike came to welcome me. Zane squeezed through the hoard and shewed them away, poking the closest ones with his Patrol staff. “It’s like they all sipped syrup before we came in,” he remarked.

“Well, I’m flattered.” I reached to snag a chocolate from the table. Then another. And one after that.

Zane tilted his head as I shoved the handful into my mouth all at once, but I was too hungry to care. I moaned as the sugar and cocoa rolled over my taste buds. Apple had every right to brag about her skills as a Chocolatier—her treats were marvellous. I used my thumb to slide a pink chocolate into the pocket of my cheek around the others.

“Are you going to take a breath?” Zane made a face, tucking his staff into the crook of his elbow and folding his arms.

I answered him by holding eye contact while I stuffed another one into the wad of molten cocoa waste between my jaws. Despite my ogre act, he didn’t look away. So, neither did I.

His mouth was twisted into a pinch when Apple returned with a steaming mug.

“Yum,” I said through the brown fence on my teeth. Apple’s eyes rounded when I reached for the tea and sipped it back to wash down my snack.

I didn’t miss the look they exchanged. Though the tea was piping hot, I winced as I tried to drink back a current, using it to burn my brain fog away.

They were dead quiet until I finished, and I slammed the mug down on the table.

I fought the urge to burp.

“Did you two know that Kaley—my sister—came to Winter several months ago?” I asked them point-blank.

Apple blinked in surprise, making it clear she knew nothing, but Zane’s face tightened. It seemed the handsome, black-cloaked snow-shepherd had finally caught on.

“Your sister? She was here? I didn’t realize that idea had taken flight.” Apple’s brown eyes grew wider.