“That’s kind, but no,” Madeleine said. It was politer than yelling at them to get out so she could be alone with Hæra, especially when they’d been so helpful. “Connor, thank you so much for taking care of Jonathan. I had no idea what to do.”

“Jon was a good’un,” Connor said gruffly. “Least I could do.”

“He doesn’t deserve everyone nosing round and asking questions,” Jim added. “Let him rest in peace.”

Isla patted Madeleine’s shoulder. “We’ll come back tomorrow. Rest if you can.”

“And look after her,” Connor said, nodding at Hæra’s door. “God knows what’ll happen in a case like this.”

Does he? Madeleine wondered as they left. Does he know?

The Great Mare had said something moved the universe and had refused to be more specific. Maybe that was good enough for now. It was too late, and she was too tired, for these existential questions. Someone else needed her more.

Madeleine squared her slumping shoulders and gently opened the door to Hæra’s room.

Low voices came from the living room. A few hours ago, Hæra would have been able to hear them perfectly. Now she’d have to strain to listen, if she cared enough to do so.

Everything felt muffled. Her hearing and eyesight were less sharp. The lights were out and she couldn’t see as well. Her body felt weak, although it remained muscular—was she still strong compared to other humans? How fast would she be able to run?

When they’d gotten out of the car, Hæra had tried to transform. Just to make sure. It hadn’t worked, and it’d never work again unless she pled her case to the witch.

No. She never wanted to see those malicious eyes again. Nor risk the chance of running into the mother who’d killed her father, and who loathed Hæra so much she wouldn’t do her the same courtesy.

So Hæra faced a future of growing old faster, living by human rules she still didn’t understand, and...and there was no Jonathan to help her, and Madeleine…

The bedroom door opened. A beam of light struck the opposite wall—must be one of the lanterns. Madeleine whispered, “Hæra?”

Hæra, facing the wall, couldn’t bring herself to roll over. Still, one more moment of solitude might drive her insane. “What?”

“I heard you moving around, or I thought I did.” The door closed. The beam of light moved down as Madeleine set the lantern on the floor. Moments later, the mattress dipped as Madeleine sat. She put her hand on Hæra’s shoulder, comforting through the layers of Hæra’s sweatshirt.

For the first time in her life, Hæra had been truly cold.

“Did you sleep at all?” Madeleine asked.