I lay on the couch and gasped for air. It felt like someone was carving through my abdomen with a rusty hacksaw. I threw up, begged for water, threw it up again. Millie’s hands were freezing on my forehead when she tested my temperature. Her face shimmered like a mirage.

“This is the worst part,” she said. “After this, it gets easier.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

She stayed with me and helped me to drink. The pain abated by degrees. Eventually, I stopped vomiting and fell into an exhausted doze, wrung out and wretched. A little after nightfall, I was dimly aware of Millie speaking to me saying something about needing to talk to a friend of hers. I opened my eyes when she kissed my forehead.

“Don’t leave me,” I croaked.

She smiled. “Not for long. Just sleep, you’ll be fine.”

I did. She had not returned by the time I woke up again, but I did feel better. A little unsteady, I walked to the kitchen sink and drank straight from the faucet. Through the curtains, I could see the glow of the lamps outside. What time was it? I rubbed my eyes. My skin was sticky with old, sour sweat, but it was cooler now; the heat of the day finally broken. A moth beat against the inside of the window, powdered wings fluttering. I opened the latch and cupped my hands around the creature to usher it free.

Someone pounded on the front door.

I froze. Like I had been drenched in ice water, fear flooded my veins. The Sisterhood? How could they have found me so quickly?

The knocking grew louder still.

“Open the door, Elfreda! I know you’re in there.”

It took a second for me to recognise his voice. I breathed out shakily, then staggered over to the door and unlocked it.

“Took you long enough, you—” Osan caught sight of me and broke off, startled.

“This is not a good time,” I rasped.

“What happened to you?”

“It’s personal.”

“You look like death.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but we need to go. Now.”

“Do I look like I’m going anywhere?”

“It can’t be helped. Where’s Kamillian?”

“She left earlier.” I sagged against the door frame. “What’s going on? What are you doing here?”

“The other side is making their move.” Osan’s usual laidback, unflappable demeanour had vanished; he stood taller and his face appeared grimmer than I had ever seen it. “They’re looking for you.”

“What?”

“And your friend Jesane Olberos, but we’ve already managed to hide her. I’m going to take you somewhere safe, all right?”

I held the door for support. No, I wanted to tell him, no, I’m safe here, you’re mistaken. And what about Millie? What if she were to come back and find me gone? Osan saw my reluctance.

“You have to trust me on this,” he said. “Staying here will place Kamillian at risk too.”