And so it went on, and on, and would go on for a long, long time. Footage of Mallian killing the cop and other stuff from the attack and the fight on the hillside. Choppers going down, soldiers being killed and killing. The dead things that no one could explain.

“And there’s the lake of fire,” Angela said when the footage ended and returned to what looked like rolling coverage. “Grace’s constant reminder of the power of the Kin, and why we should leave them alone.”

“It’s a good warning,” Vince said.

“Yeah, but humans are inquisitive. We’ve always been tempted to play with fire.”

They watched for a couple more minutes, then Angela reached out—groaning when pain bit in all across her torso—and fumbled for the remote. She turned the TV off. She’d seen it all first-hand, and hearing so-called experts arguing and offering theories, and military spokesmen calling it fake news, did nothing to detract from the ordeal she and the ones she loved had been through.

Were still going through.

“Sammi,” she said. “She’ll be staying with us?”

Vince looked aside, then back at Angela. “I think she’ll be gone soon. I don’t think she can stay with us, do you?”

Angela didn’t reply. She wasn’t sure. She didn’t know if she even wanted the girl, the young fairy, to be part of their lives. Not after what she’d seen her do, and not after what they’d all seen Grace become.

“I’ll get some food and coffee,” Vince said. Angela grasped his good hand before he could stand.

“No!” she said.

“Hey, I’m only going to the restaurant. I’m here to look after you—forever.”

“Stay with me just for now,” Angela said. “And promise to never leave me ever again, and I won’t leave you. Ever again.”

Vince sat down and held her hand. He smiled and said, “Deal.”

* * *

Later, when Angela was asleep, Vince slipped outside to see Sammi. The girl was curled up on a chair in the waiting room, eyes closed but not asleep.

“I’ll be leaving later,” she said as Vince sat beside her. “I’ll be back to help her, but I have to help myself first.”

“She’ll want to see you before you go.”

Sammi opened her eyes. Their shade had changed, and their shape, as if to take in the view of a wider world.

“I’ll go in now,” she said. “You need to make that call.”

“Sure. And, Sammi?”

She looked at him.

“Take care of yourself.”

“You know I will.”

“No, I mean... I know you’re going out there to take care of others. Kin like you, and maybe Kin who don’t even know who or what they are yet. But you have to take care of yourself, too.”