Chapter 36 Close Encounters

• *Raven*
• An odd sense of calm washes over me, even when Kieren has ascended back above ground, back into the sun. I pick up the teacup my aunt Nola gave me and sniff it suspiciously. She knew this would be hard for me, so she must have slipped me something to calm me down. The thoughtfulness touches me as I leave the apothecary to find her and my mother waiting for me.
• “You look tired, my darling,” Mother tells me with a knowing look. My cheeks redden under her gaze. “You should rest. There’s much to do.”