The house was a stage.
Father stood in the front hall in his dark coat, speaking into a phone. Derrick snapped a roster shut. Amanda adjusted Daisy's hem. Daisy's necklace set its small suns in the light.
“Listen," Father said.
“We go now. Torches at dusk. The shaman will begin when the moon shows. Derrick, you escort me."
“Yes, Alpha," Derrick said.
Father turned to Daisy. “You will be at my right."
Daisy beamed. “Of course."
Then Father looked toward the corridor that led to the back rooms. “Audrey will remain here," he said.
Derrick exhaled like a judge who had reached a fair verdict.
Audrey stepped into the foyer.
She wore the same dark skirt, the same plain blouse, her hair tied back, her eyes cooled to weather.
“I heard you," she said.
Father didn't mask annoyance. “Then
