Marron had transformed the cave. Fires cast golden light across the vast space, and the smell of sage floated through the air, softening the dampness and salt. He had organized the sleeping areas with tents for each family around the perimeter, to match the setup of the compound. Lamps lit a few from inside, and the material glowed soft white. The wide space at the center had been left open for gatherings, with the exception of a small wooden platform. In adjacent caverns, there were areas for cooking, washing, and even for keeping livestock and storing food. People wandered from one place to the next, wide-eyed as they oriented themselves in their new home.

It looked a thousand times more inviting than anything Perry had imagined. He could almost forget he was beneath a mountain of rock.

He spotted Marron by the small stage with Reef and Bear, and walked over to join them. Bear leaned on a cane, and both of his eyes were black.

“What do you think?” Marron asked.

Perry rubbed the back of his head. As much as Marron had done, it was still a temporary shelter. Still a cave. “I think I’m lucky to know you,” he said finally.

Marron smiled. “Likewise.”

Bear shifted his weight, peering at him. “I was wrong to doubt you.”

Perry shook his head. “No. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t doubt. And I want to know what you think—especially when you think I’m wrong. But I need your trust. I always want the best for you and Molly. For everyone in the Tides.”

Bear nodded. “I know that, Perry. We all do.” He held out his hand, his grip crushing when Perry took it.

Bear wasn’t the only one in the Tides who had changed toward Perry since the storm. They didn’t argue with him anymore. Now, when he spoke, he sensed them listening and felt the power of their attention. He’d become Blood Lord day by day, through every act, every success, and even through his failures. Not by taking the chain from Vale.

Perry looked around, and a seed of suspicion took root. It was difficult to tell in this new space, but they seemed too few in number. People were missing.

“Where’s Kirra?” he asked. He didn’t see her, or any of her people.

“Didn’t she tell you?” Marron said. “She left this morning. She told me they were going back to Sable.”

“When?” Perry demanded. “When did they leave?”

“Hours ago,” Bear said. “First thing this morning.”

That couldn’t be right. Perry had just seen Lark and Forest. Why would they have stayed behind?

Fear shot through him. He spun, running back to the horse he’d left outside with Twig. Ten minutes later, he thundered up to his house. The front door gaped open. He didn’t see a soul anywhere.