She did not follow but instead took a detour down a small trail off the main road. The way had once been as familiar as the contours of her own face, but now it was overgrown. She trod carefully through the low brush lest her feet tangle in the vines. Presently, she arrived at her destination.

The fence was still there, the same one where she’d buried the baby bird. The house itself was empty, a sign on the gate declaring it had been sold to the Tabor Land Corporation. Someone must have lived here recently, but now they had moved on. She entered the yard, her heart racing, as if something dreadful waited within. But there was nothing here to harm her but memories, and while they had their ways, she had done enough harm to herself these past few hours that a memory could do no worse.

She sat on the porch steps and closed her eyes. She could feel the ghosts of her childhood home stir around her. Could almost hear the voices of her mother and the occasional laugh of her father when he’d come to call on her and she and Mariel had been made to sleep out under the eaves.

Again, that day played out in her head, and for the thousandth time, she hated herself for going with her father, for leaving her sister behind. And for the thousandth time, she swore that she would never do it again, no matter the cost.

Mariel’s spirit seemed to hover near, watchful. So real Celeste could almost reach out and touch her. “I won’t fail you again,” she whispered to that memory. “I swear it on my soul.”

She expected thunder to roll at such a vow, but there was only the rising sun warm against her face and the call of birdsong welcoming the day. She sat for a while longer, wishing for all the world that Abraxas was there and that she might confide in him, but she knew he would never hold her again, never argue theology with her, never kiss her neck.

Now he was just another memory, as out of reach as all her other ghosts.

Just as it had been on her first visit, the territorial courthouse was packed. Not only with lawmen and reporters but with many of the citizens of Goetia, Elect and Fallen alike. The Virtues may have silenced the Howler, but word had spread anyway, and now all of Goetia knew that Mariel’s trial was to take place today.