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“Do not start, Ceri, the damn chair fought back. Got me good, too.”

Despite the enormity of the tragedy surrounding them all, Lark smiled. Deryn snickered, and her laughter ended on a sob, which caused Paloma to reach out and wrap her up in a tight hug.

“Can’t take you anywhere, Rhy,” Ceridwen murmured and looked up when the door opened to reveal Judge Astor, his handsome face tired and drawn. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

Ceridwen extended her hand, and he took it, visibly grateful for the silent acceptance, taking a seat next to her.

“I feel so useless and restless. The whole town is. Marsha and Greg almost started another fight in the Marketplace, over nothing again, before dissolving into tears and hugs.” He sighed, running his fingers through his a-touch-too-long gray hair, pushing it back from his face. “I made sure all your shops are closed and fine. I fed your yeast starters, Deryn. Same for yours, Lark. Changed the water on most of the flowers, Ceri. Wasn’t sure what to do at the Brew, so just made sure the alarms were all set and working, Rennie. Lachlan will be here to relieve me later. He’s on pet watch.”

Ceridwen leaned closer, her forehead resting on his shoulder for a moment before she looked up.

“Thank you.” He nodded at her words, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

There was another squeak of the door, and the clacking of high heels preceded the entrance. The scent of jasmine followed. The Headmistress of Dragons School for Girls wore a dark gray suit and almost no makeup.

“There are people gathering by the Tavern. Lighting candles, praying. I stopped by on my way here.” She tugged on the sleeve of the suit, not looking at anyone in particular. “And I received some information about… It can wait, though. Everything can wait today,” she said and chose the seat closest to Paloma, giving the still-pacing Rhiannon a long stare, one so eloquent that the middle Crowhart rolled her eyes.

“Once a teacher…”

“Always a teacher. You look like you’re wearing yourself, the floor, and your sisters out. I’m sure everyone would feel better if you sat down.” There was a tiny bit of amusement in the Headmistress’s low voice. Rhiannon sat and dropped her chin on her hand, but her face held no resentment. In fact, from the moment the Headmistress entered, additional relief seemed to have poured into the room.

“It’s like having an adultier adult here.” Rhiannon smiled at Lark, who realized she must’ve blurted that last thought out loud. “Well, two, with Christian.”

Judge Astor inclined his head, his gray eyes gentle and patient, his arm still wrapped around Ceridwen.

It felt very much like a family. A big, boisterous, teasing, and disagreeing yet always coming together family. A family that was missing its matriarch. Lark’s eyes filled with tears again.

Before she could say anything, the door opened yet again, and Dagmar Rathcross walked in.

Lark watched as Dagmar’s long limbs arranged themselves in a semblance of an upright posture, all previous arrogance and superiority erased in a heartbeat.

For a moment, nobody moved. And then, everyone did at the same time.

“You dare show your face here?” Ceridwen rose, shaking Judge Astor’s hand off her shoulder.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Rhiannon was in Dagmar’s face before Lark could even register that she had gotten out of her chair. Just like the Wind.

“Hasn’t your family done enough?” Prudence was not far behind her partner.

“You did this, Rathcross, I hold you fully responsible!” Paloma didn’t hold back, standing in front of Deryn and flanking Rhiannon in full support.

“Can everyone just sit?”

Lark blinked and realized it was the quiet, almost inaudible murmur coming from the seat next to her that suddenly held the room’s attention.

“What? Rennie⁠—”

Rhiannon asked and looked over her shoulder at Seren, who did not change her position, did not let go of Lark’s fingers, and did not take her eyes off of Dagmar.

A pin could’ve dropped and would’ve caused tremendous commotion in the ensuing silence. Still, as if bewitched, the sisters shuffled back to their seats.

“Do you want me to leave?” Headmistress Nox motioned with her chin toward the exit. Seren shook her head. Judge Astor sat back down as well.

“No, whatever she has to say, I’m not interested in keeping her family’s dirty secret anymore. The Crowharts have sullied our hands for too long with other families’ swept-under-the-rug tragedies and crimes. Perhaps it’s time to bring some light in.”

Dagmar gulped audibly and took a few steps into the room. The walls seemed to recoil, even the chairs leaving no space for her. She looked around, and bar for sitting right next to Lark or Seren, she was all out of options.

So Dagmar nodded and remained standing. After a few beats, Seren spoke up again.