The first voice had been Violetta. The second? Idelt. Both coming faintly through the thick walls separating the three. Cara rubbed at her cheek.

“Sorry. That was me.”

She heard a muffled, terrified laugh, and a voice. But whatever Violetta said was lost because a wall and two doors lay between them.

Violetta was locked in her room. Cara was locked in Idelt’s room. And the [Blacksmith] and father sat in the living room, kitchen, and main part of the house. Watching the door.

The undead were walking Landsmecht. And as was the custom of Afiele—Noelictus’ folk—they had barricaded themselves inside. They were indeed used to the undead threat. Their walls were thick, to the point where you’d need a ram to even try to break through a door. Everything was reinforced, and Rethis, their [Hunter], even had a tower built into his cottage, so that he could keep watch without leaving his home.

But even indoors, Cara, Idelt, and Violetta had to stay apart. Just in case the bear and deer outside broke into the home. Cara had argued against this, of course.

“We can at least defend ourselves together. If there’s a zombie in the house—”

“—They might not break through the other doors. I will sit in the living room and keep them out if I can.

The children and younger folk stay in the safest places. Each room has a window. Only unlatch the shutters if you must run.”

If I die and rise, you mean. But Cara had not said that. She had looked at Violetta’s terrified face.

“If we stay in the same room, Idelt—”

“No.”

Too dangerous. That was custom in Landsmecht, and it had become all but law. Don’t give the dead a chance to multiply. But still—but still—

Thump. That didn’t come from Cara. She jumped and heard a muffled sound.

“Quiet. I’m trying to hear how many.”

Idelt’s voice was a low whisper. The man sounded like he was right next to their doors. Violetta made another sound as the noise came again.

Thump. It sounded like something was hitting the front door.

“What is—”

“The bear.”

Cara felt a chill. Something huge hit the door again, but the door was so secure it didn’t rattle. But the impact was heavy.

“Is—are there—”

“I think there are at least four deer.”

The [Actress] went pale. She clenched her hands and heard a sob.

“Violetta.”

Idelt spoke into the silence. Cara heard a scraping sound. Antlers on wood? She shuddered. The sobbing came again, muffled by something.

“Can—can they hear us, Idelt?”

“No. The dead sense the living. Violetta needs to be calm.”

A calm voice, but now Cara heard the tension. Idelt sounded like he was sitting between the two doors.

She could all but imagine him, axe, or perhaps hammer, in hand. Watching the door.