“She couldn’t take it anymore, she said,” I said, distracting myself with the washing bowl so I wouldn’t have to look at him. “She left last night. Didn’t say where she was going.”

“Well, when is she coming back?”

“Never,” Kelela said, rather harshly. She looked ready to kill the ghost of the woman herself. “I guess she didn’t want to have to be the next volunteer. What a coward.”

“Don’t say that,” I said quickly. “She reacted how anyone would. You’re just braver than most.”

“Of course I am.” She gaped at me slightly, but I noticed a pleased blush on her cheeks. “Thank you.”

“So, she’s not coming back?” Magnus butted in.

“No, Magnus.” I touched his hand, and he weaved his fingers through mine, making my heart pound. “She’s not coming back.”

He was quiet for a moment, his body sinking into his chair. And then he stood and left the room, his bells jingling joylessly down the hall.

“I suppose I’ll have to tell my brother what happened seeing as this arm won’t allow me to travel right now,” Kelela grumbled, digging into the food with her one good hand without bothering to wash it, either. She shouldn’t have been eating with her left, but it’s all she had available—and, anyway, etiquette was never the strong suit of this household. “God, he’s going to kill me.”

I tore some bite-sized pieces of injera for her so she wouldn’t have to struggle. “Do you want a ride to town?”

“No, I’m too achy for that bumpy ride. He’ll be here tomorrow morning. I’ll wait.”

“Won’t he be mad that you put yourself in danger like this? And that you waited so long to tell him about it?”

“He’ll forgive me. He always does.”

Somehow I didn’t believe it would work out how she wanted. Looking at her arm, splinted and in a sling, I was developing an understanding of Jember’s reluctance to let me do this. It didn’t matter how brave or determined I was if I wasn’t qualified.

But, with Jember’s help, I would be.

I had to be.

Speaking of … “I forgot something,” I said, stuffing one more fingerful of spicy food in my mouth before rushing out to get Jember. There was no way he could put that leg on himself in the condition he was in.

I tripped to a stop before the doorway on hearing a whispered voice, and peeked inside to see Saba standing a short distance from Jember’s chair. He had his arms crossed and Saba was gripping a small wooden box … but they were clearly talking, which was progress. Saba approached and sat on the coffee table, opening the box beside her. A first-aid kit. I prayed Jember would let her touch him, if only to help.