When Daphne got home, the house was completely dark. She turned on the light and nearly jumped out of her skin.
Elias was sitting motionless on the sofa.
"What are you doing?" Daphne snapped. "Why are you sitting here in the dark? You didn't even turn on a light."
Elias did not know how long he had been sitting there. In his hands was a small urn.
At the sound of Daphne's voice, he finally moved. Slowly, he turned his head toward her.
Daphne saw the urn in his hands and paused. "What is that?"
Elias said nothing. He only stared at her. The look in his eyes made Daphne's skin crawl.
"You..." She took a step back. "What is wrong with you?"
"Maisie," Elias said. His voice was hoarse and raw, almost unrecognizable. "She is dead."
Daphne's expression flickered for the briefest instant.
