It broke Grace’s heart to see Alice like this. To see her scared. To see her in agony.

It was in that moment that she swore to herself that she would protect her for as long as they both lived. She would protect her from the Sect, she would protect her from herself, she would protect her from anyone on this earth that wanted to harm her.

If they wanted Alice Blackwell, they’d have to go through Grace Rafferty first.

Chapter Thirty-Three

As Lily and Jem approached the living room, they heard lots of excited chatter and laughter. Any awkwardness that had hung in the atmosphere from the events of the night before had disappeared. Lily and Jem entered the room to see all five of the children – even Glenn had dragged himself from his bed to join them – sitting in a crescent shape around the fire. Brenna looked up as they walked in and jumped up from her sitting position, running full pelt at Lily with a grin on her face.

‘Lily! Lily!’ she shouted, jumping up and down in front of her. ‘We did it! We got everything you asked for!’ Brenna lifted her chin proudly.

‘Well,’ Lily took her hand and led her back to the group, ‘I am incredibly proud of you all, but I had no doubts that you’d manage absolutely fine without Jem and me to guide you, because you’re all so sensible and responsible. Isn’t that right, Jem?’

‘Oh, oh yes!’ He smiled at them all, subtle creases forming around his eyes. ‘I’m very proud.’ He found himself a spot next to Morven and sat cross-legged.

‘Have you got everything you foraged here with you now?’ Lily asked the group, who all rushed to different parts of the room, bringing back baskets full of the things they’d collected. There were myriad plants, flowers, and rocks, several jam jars filled with paint and river water, sand and seaweed. Everything was laid out in the middle of the semi-circle, a cornucopia of ingredients and supplies. They really had managed to find everything she’d asked for. Lily was thrilled. ‘Wonderful! Gather up your supplies and follow me to the kitchen…’

On the oak table that dominated the kitchen space, Lily placed three cast-iron pots. She collected her mass of thick curls on top of her head and stuck a pencil through the knot, just about holding it in place enough to keep it out of her eyes. She then rolled up her sleeves, cleared her throat and began: ‘We are going to be making three very different potions this evening. First, we have a very simple healing ointment that will speed up the healing process of any type of wound. I brought lots of this with me, but unfortunately I had to use a little bit more than I’d anticipated in order to get our lovely Glenn back to feeling himself again.’ The boy smiled, still shy and quiet. Lily gathered up several types of flowers and the seaweed, then drizzled the river water on top. She used a large wooden spoon to mix everything together and then carried the pot over to the ancient range oven. The fire was already lit inside, and so the pot began to heat immediately after Lily placed it on top of the stove.