“When I do something, I go all the way, don’t I?” she asked. “It wasn’t enough just to stumble over a magical creature. I had to go and kiss it.”

Hæra didn’t like the sound of that at all. “I’m not an it. I’m a…”

How did she finish that sentence? She couldn’t say person, and Each-uisge wouldn’t make anything better.

Neither term felt right, either.

All she could think of was, “I’m myself. Just as you are.”

“Whatever I am.” Madeleine tugged her hand free of Hæra’s and looked back over the fields. “Turns out I came here to discover that and got more than I bargained for.”

“These beliefs you speak of,” Hæra said carefully. Here was something else that needed delicate handling. “Isn’t it good to know more about the world, even if it means you were wrong about some things? I’ve learned that too.”

“I didn’t say I was wrong about anything,” Madeleine snapped. She glared at Hæra. “I told you I believed in mysteries. You’re definitely one, even if you’re no angel. And just because you exist doesn’t mean I have to throw out every single thing I was taught!”

The fear was back in her eyes. That meant she might not believe what she was saying. However, that didn’t mean it wasn’t true.

Hæra agreed, “That’s right. You have to think about it. I did. And I’ve had much longer to do that than you have.”

“No kidding.” Madeleine propped her chin on her knees and hugged herself again. If she hugged herself tightly enough, Hæra wondered, would she be able to contain whatever surged in her now? “And I’ve got less than a month to do it.”

Was that a joke? Hæra leaned forward. “What are you talking about? You can stay longer. You can stay as long as you like.”

“I can’t. I have a life.” Madeleine bent her forehead until it touched her knees and Hæra couldn’t see her face anymore. “I’ve got a job that starts in August and a place I pay rent on. And I have a plane ticket it’ll cost me a fortune to change. I don’t have any treasure chests to tap into.”

Hæra said impatiently, “August is longer than a month away, and we can help with your plane ticket. Even if we couldn’t, would that be more important than what’s happening here?”

Madeleine didn’t reply or look up.

“It wouldn’t. You know that, don’t you?” Hæra placed her hand, lightly, between Madeleine’s shoulder blades, atop the torn jacket. Madeleine trembled at her touch. Fear, or something else? If only Madeleine would look at her.