“The girls need both their parents.” Her voice was severe. “And half is better than none.”

The man nodded slowly and ran his hand through his hair.

“Can I go to the stream?” a breathless voice asked from beside Twelve. She looked down at the small girl who had spoken: bright cheeks, gray eyes, a mischievous smile, and their ma’s cloud of dark hair. Poppy.

The woman smiled. “If Starling goes with you.”

The older girl skipped up, her eyes eager. “Of course I’ll go!”

“Take care of her or we’ll trade you to the cave clan,” her da said, a twinkle in his eye. “I wonder how big a moonstone we could get for you?”

Starling snorted a laugh and looped her arm through her little sister’s.

“I don’t need minding,” Poppy muttered crossly as the girls walked away. “I’m big now!”

“I know that,” Starling whispered, “but Ma and Da don’t!”

Poppy beamed at the taller girl, her cheeks dimpling.

Twelve reached for Poppy without even meaning to, but it was Starling who turned with a gasp. Their eyes met and Twelve felt a vicious tug deep in her chest. The world seemed to tilt and slide around them, colors bleeding, shapes smudging into one another.

Only Starling remained in an otherwise empty void of featureless gray. Twelve blinked hard, trying and failing to find something other than her to focus on.

Somewhere behind her, a crow carked low.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the hairs on Twelve’s arms stood up. The back of her neck prickled, and her breath jarred into ragged, fearful gasps. She knew that sound.

Starling was walking away. She looked different, older, dressed more warmly. Her footsteps were sure and quick, despite the doe carcass slung over her shoulders. Starting from her, the world pulled back into focus.

A cart track through rolling hills spread out from her feet. Green and gold grass grew up to her thighs on either side of the path. Cobwebs spun between the stalks glittered with dew. The air was fresh and cool; the world felt new. But Starling hurried, biting her lip.

Twelve tried to walk the other way, but found she couldn’t. Dread choked her. The world pulled her after the girl, drawing her on against her will. Together, they crested the hill and a valley split into fields before them. A sparkling stream coiled through the middle and on the other side sat a grass clan village.

“Poa,” Twelve croaked, drinking in the sight. The breeze caught the word and threw it back at her.

Poa, Poa, Poa.

Starling half turned with a listening frown, but her eyes passed over Twelve, unseeing. She hurried on, dragging Twelve with her.