The second we got back to the estate, I took Noah into the bedroom and dug out the first-aid kit. When the disinfectant touched the cut, his fingers curled up and his face went red, but he flat refused to make a sound. Lily stood by the bed hugging that old stuffed rabbit, watching me with big eyes. Every time I looked at her, her mouth curved into a smile. Every time I looked away, she inched one step closer.
I hated kids. And somehow these two didn't spark that old itch to get up and hide.
Once I'd finished with the medicine, I closed the kit and told Martha to take them to their room for dinner. Noah wrapped both arms around mine. "Mom, can I eat in here?"
Lily copied him in a heartbeat, latching onto my other arm. "Me too. Mom, we promise we won't get your bed dirty."
I froze, not
