Useless, I could’ve told her. Once the door closed behind you, it didn’t open again from the inside. That door was a one-way street. I could only see her profile, barely illuminated in the early morning gloom, but her disappointment was palpable even from where I stood.

“Who buys a fucking cursed house?” she muttered, turning around and moving on to the living room.

Sweetheart, why did we do anything we do? If she solved the answer to that mystery, I’d love to hear it.

I took one step at a time, until I had her in my sights again. Most of the windows in the living room were stained glass, but the one overlooking the porch wasn’t. Savannah stood at the window, trying to lift the sash I knew from personal experience wouldn’t budge. Then she paused, thinking for a minute. She took a step back, and then placed both of her hands against the glass.

She’s testing it. Seeing how much pressure it would take to break. Something I’d also like to test. She pushed harder, and I could practically hear the glass straining.

I spoke up. “Stop before you hurt yourself, sweetheart. Theo nearly broke his arm trying to get out when he was first trapped. Didn’t Felix warn you about the pushback?”

Savannah spun around, a wild look in her eyes. “Are the three of you really so content in this house you won’t even try to escape?

I sighed, tugging at my ear. She wouldn’t like what I had to say. “There is no escape, Savannah. Not unless the curse is broken. I’ve been scouring books for decades, looking for the solution.”

“You have?” She perked up, cocking her head to the side.

I wanted to hug her. But we barely knew each other. Maybe she wouldn’t be comfortable with that. Fuck it. I pulled her into a hug. At first, she resisted, then she almost crumpled against me, letting me support the entirety of her weight. I knew the feeling of complete despair. I knew it all too well, and it broke my heart. “Do you want a cup of tea?”

“Tea?” She pushed away from me, wrinkling her nose.

“Do you not like tea?”

“I do, but…” She frowned. “I thought we didn’t need to eat or drink. And how old is this tea you want me to drink?”