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The last of the paper collapses into glowing black flakes.

With the fire dying and the woods standing silent beyond the roof, it almost feels like the whole world is holding its breath.

And deep in my chest, under the smoke and the shaking and the awful relief, something new takes root.

The fear doesn't leave. It stays.

9

CIARAN

Dad calls at seven in the morning, which is unusual, even for him. He isn't much of a morning person.

Neither am I.

I roll onto my side, drag the multi-slate off the nightstand, and answer with my face still half buried in the pillow. "What?"

"Good morning to you too."

I rub a hand over my face and blink at the gray wash of light coming through the curtains. My jacket is still hanging over the chair from last night, boots abandoned by the bed where I kicked them off when I got back too late from the Black Chapel. A pathetic vice, maybe, but I walked out with enough cash in my pocket to feel morally flexible about it.

"What time is it?"

"Seven."

I groan and shove a hand through my hair. "That's cruel. You were young once."

Dad chuckles. "Yes, and I got up when my father called me."

"Because you were afraid of him."

"Because it was easier than arguing with him."

"Yeah, that sounds like him."

Grandpa was the kind of man you didn't want to get in trouble with. His worst mistake was dying.

I sit up slowly, sheet falling to my waist, and reach for the water glass beside the bed. "So what's up? Why are you calling this early?"

His chuckle turns into a full-blown laugh. "Your mother and I just landed from Helion."

I take a drink. "At this hour?"

"At this hour. And since your mother spent most of the flight talking about next week's reception, I figured you could suffer with me."

"I hate this family."

He chuckles. "No, you don't. Besides, I thought you'd like to know one of the Marrows confirmed."

"Seriously?"

Okay, now I'm awake.

I cross to the window and pull the curtain back. Early sunlight catches on the gardens below, and I gaze down to catch a few students already crossing the stone paths toward the main buildings.

"Seriously," Dad deadpans. "It surprised me too. Between Lucian, his wife, and half the cousins, the family seems determined to stay visible."

"Yeah, well, you still have to admire their pride."