We were quiet for a moment.

Jember pressed on his leg above his knee with a groan, massaging it with his fingers. “Most people start training in amulets when they’re sixteen. You ever wonder why you came to me so young?”

“You bought me from my birth parents.”

“Bought you? When have I ever paid for anything? No, I stole you from the ones who bought you.”

“Why?”

“Because your parents sold you to a brothel. And you were five.” He shrugged, as if he wanted to be done thinking about it. “Your affinity for amulet construction was just a bonus.”

He groaned again, and I saw him wince as he leaned heavily on the bed. I knelt to remove his leg so he wouldn’t have to ask.

“I thought empathy was a poor survival habit,” I said.

“It is. You’ve caused me a lot of trouble over the years.” There was a spark of humor in Jember’s eyes before he took his leg from me and tapped me on the head with the thicker wooden end. I was lucky it was his leg and not something he could afford to break, but still, I felt myself grinning. “You want a bed to sleep in, girl? Then shut up and mind your business.”

This had always been my side of the bed. Mostly because it was easier for Jember to get into bed on the side closest to the door, so he wouldn’t have to scoot across it or walk around. But tonight, I couldn’t sleep.

Tonight? No. It was morning, though the shut door blocked out all hints of light. Magnus was probably awake now, unaware of what he’d done last night, wondering where I was. Meanwhile, I was back in my childhood home. Hiding.

I rolled onto my side. Jember lay on his back, his breath slightly jagged, an unintentional groan every other exhale. I don’t think I’d ever noticed how much pain he was actually in. He’d always come home after I fell asleep, wake up before me. Or he’d be so drunk he’d just pass out. I felt ignorant for thinking all this time that he was just a heavy sleeper. That those pills were more of a necessity than an addiction.

I sighed, rolling onto my back again. I couldn’t believe I was lying here, wasting my time feeling sorry for myself, when the people who needed me most were waiting for me.

If I cleansed the castle, Magnus would never have to worry about avoiding people ever again. He could join me in town. Among people. Or anywhere we wanted, really.

Saba’s soul would be free. I would miss her, but it was selfish to keep her here to be tortured by the Evil Eye’s commands.