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I perked up. “A squad? Really?” I realized Medra’s eyes were no longer on me. Instead she was looking over at the fluffin resting on my bed. Neville lay curled up, his nose tucked under his tail. Every now and then, his ears would twitch at a sound only he could hear.

Medra’s gaze lingered on the little creature. “He’s amazing, isn’t he? Such a smart, stubborn little creature.”

“I think he’s been helping me.” I hesitated. “I think he’s doing something to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“When he’s here, I breathe easier. The memories don’t hold me hostage as badly.” Secretly, I wanted to tell her what I suspected—that the fluffin wasn’t just an animal at all. That he was, well, magical. Like a creature from a children’s tale. “I still have nightmares, but not when he’s here. And the memories … it’s like he’s doing something to them. Every day, they’re blurrier. Less intense. It’s like he’s helping me find my way back to myself.” I colored. “Is that strange?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. He saved Florence’s life, you know.”

My eyes widened. “I … didn’t know that.”

She nodded. “It’s like he can sense when we’re hurt the worst and then plants himself there and refuses to budge.” Then I saw her shoulders tighten. “Look, Regan—”

“It’s about Neville, isn’t it?” I looked at her. “He’s going with you.”

She hesitated. “We can’t exactly ask him. He goes where he’s needed … and that’s kind of the point. But I think so, yes. We need his help. Desperately.”

I looked at the fluffin. So still, so soft. “And you’re leaving in the morning.”

“No one is going to take him if he doesn’t want to go,” she promised. “But …”

“He was Blake’s to begin with.” There was a lump in my throat. It was like Persis all over again: Another person I cared about was being taken away. But I knew that wasn’t fair. This was different.

Medra was shaking her head. “He’s not Blake’s. I don’t think he really belongs to any of us.”

“He’s a gift,” I said, thinking of the dreams Lysander had sent and the way the fluffin made me feel. I stood up and crossed over to the bed. The little creature lifted his head, looked up at me with sleepy eyes, and gave a huge yawn.

“Whatever he is, he might be the difference between whether we fail or succeed,” Medra said softly from behind me. I nodded. “You know, you won’t be alone, Regan. Kage is still right outside your door.”

I looked at her sharply. “He is?”

She nodded. “I’ve heard he or Lysander are there every hour of every day. One of them has stood watch ever since they brought you back.”

“I don’t know why. I never asked them to do that. I don’t know why they came for me at all.”

“You said you’ve been talking to Neville.” She hesitated. “Maybe it’s time you talked to them?”

Neville’s eyes had closed again. I watched the rise and fall of his breathing. Tomorrow the foot of my bed would be empty. Tomorrow I’d be walking around Bloodwing with the title of headmistress weighing on my shoulders like a heavy chain. I thought of the wolf at my door—and then, before I could help myself I imagined the wolf lying next to me in the bed. The image was oddly comforting.

I turned to Medra. “I wish you the best of luck. If anyone can do this, you can.”

“I know you don’t want to put that mask on again,” Medra said, getting to her feet, “but it is a mask, Regan. We all know that.”

I tossed my braid over my shoulder as haughtily as I could manage. “Make me your ice queen again. I’ll play the part. I was rather good at it once, wasn’t I?”

“You were.” She smiled. “You’re going to be … incredible.”

I snorted. “Believe me. If I am, it’ll be purely to spite the ones talking about me behind my back.” I looked at her, my face a mix of admiration and confusion. “You’ve always been so brave. I’ll admit I’ve never understood how you did it.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Have I? I think I’m just stubborn. I hate seeing something wrong and not being able to fix it.” She reached out a hand and touched my arm gently. “Look, I know we’re not best friends or anything, but I really am glad you’re back. We need you. I know we can count on you.”

They needed me? I felt dizzy. To think I’d thought a walk was all I was up for today. “You make it sound very inspiring.”

She laughed. “Well, I’m not good at speeches. But it’s easy to say when it’s true. You’re doing something very brave. And you’re doing it without the promise of a reward, without any applause. With nothing to gain.” She started moving to the door. As she reached the threshold, Neville cracked one eye open, looked back and forth between us both, gave a tiny huff, then closed his eyes again. “See?” Medra whispered, smiling. “Small but stubborn.”

“Like you,” I pointed out.