“We got in a fight on the way here,” Kenzie said. “I barely got to do anything, there were looters, and they raided a store, so I got most of their pictures before they could run, so I could track them down later if I had to. Then I did a sweep of the crowd to see if any looters were trying to hide among the bystanders, but I didn’t find anything.”

“That’s too bad. It would have been a nice little victory.”

“I wish I knew if it didn’t find anything because there wasn’t anything or if it was because it didn’t work.”

“You’ll figure it out. You’re clever,” Ashley said.

“How are you doing, Ashley?” Sveta asked. “Is there anything we can do?”

“I’ve committed a cardinal sin,” Ashley said. “I asked you to help me move, and I don’t have things packed. I put most of my books away, and some of my clothes, but…”

She moved her hand in her lap. Her fingers moved slowly, and they seemed to hit a limit where they wouldn’t go completely straight.

“Have you had that looked at?” I asked.

“Rain did. He did what he could to fix things, but my usual tinker is gone. If these hands fail, then I won’t have hands unless they allow me to meet with Rain again,” Ashley said. “I haven’t been able to pack, as I said, and I’m being a poor hostess, because I have food but can’t serve it.”

“I can grab it,” Jester said.

“The water for tea should be boiled. Pour it in the pot and bring it straight down. There’s a shutter by the stove. Inside you’ll find nuts, chocolate and cookies. The serving tray and sugar bowl are above the shutter. There are cold drinks in the door of the fridge for those who don’t want tea, and a little pitcher of milk.”

“That sounds like a lot,” Tristan said. “I’ll come with.”

“I normally allow myself one treat a day, with the same for any guests—I don’t have many,” Ashley said. “But we should treat ourselves.”

“Are you okay?” Sveta asked, again. “In the heat of everything last week, I said some harsh things. I feel guilty now that we’re here.”

“If I’d refused or if I had tried to get away with it, you would have resented me for it. Most of you would have. You were right,” Ashley said. “Don’t feel guilty.”

“If you changed your mind, I’d have your back,” Kenzie said.

Chris swatted her over the head. “No. Bad.”

Kenzie stuck her elbow out toward his middle, digging it into softer flesh. He grunted.