So much for finding a sympathetic ear. Madeleine’s cheeks scalded at her own foolishness. Telling Hæra had seemed like a halfway decent idea while her hangover was still wearing off. Clearly, hangover ideas weren’t much better than drunk ideas.

Fine, let Hæra think she was nuts. It didn’t change the truth. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but…”

“Kelpies live in fresh water. They’re afraid of the ocean. And there aren’t many left.” Hæra bared her teeth. “Mainly because they’re stupid.”

Madeleine blinked.

Hæra turned her glare toward the pasture. “Whatever you saw wasn’t a kelpie. Trust me.”

“Then what was it?” Madeleine demanded. “Because it wasn’t a regular horse. It was huge, and it had—it had these teeth, and it acted like it was trying to push me into the ocean.”

“But it didn’t. Clearly.”

“Don’t tell me I’m imagining things!” Madeleine curled her hands into fists. “I admit it—I was drunk. I went to the Kestrel after I left you because…”

“Drunk,” Hæra interjected. “There, you see⁠—”

“No! I’m not making this up, and I didn’t imagine it. I went to the beach where everything happened the first time. That beach.”

“I told you to stay away from there.” Hæra’s voice dropped into a growl. “I told you it was dangerous.”

“You did, yes, and…” The lightbulb went on. “Do you know something about that beach? Is that why you warned me away?”

Hæra inhaled deeply. Her nostrils flared.

Madeleine’s heart, already beating quickly, tripped into overdrive. She stepped forward, her face getting hot. “Well? Is it? Is there some local legend that everyone just decided not to tell me about?”

Maybe so. There were hundreds of stories about places that held supernatural secrets protected by locals. Madeleine might have stumbled onto a Jorsayian secret not meant for outsiders to know. That might be why Jonathan said he also didn’t know what had happened.

“Would you believe me?” Hæra snapped. “What about your Bible and your saints and all the rest? How would such a legend square with who you are?”

“The Bible and my saints have even stranger stories to tell, and I don’t know who I am.” The words felt rough and hot in her chest. Her eyes pricked. “That’s why I’m here. I think you’ve figured out that much, and I know it’s got something to do with that beach and whatever’s there, I know—I know⁠—”

“Madeleine…”

“I know I have to face it!” Madeleine cried.

Hæra’s mouth snapped shut.

It was just as well, because now that the words had started, they didn’t want to stop. “My life’s totally different, don’t you understand? I chose that. I’m not going to look away now, even if it scares the daylights out of me.”