I walk back around the barrier to stand between Lily and the dead, after all I should be protecting her. She takes a few steps back and the four of us surround her. It seems unnecessary as the girl shows no sign of violence. Intelligence slowly fills her eyes as she feeds.
After about a minute, she lifts her mouth from the wound. Ebrach hugs her again, holds her tight, but she doesn’t hug him back, just waits patiently. My heart breaks a little for Ebrach and maybe a little for myself too. I knew this wouldn’t work. I knew it all along, so why am I so disappointed? Had I really harbored some last vestiges of hope, like a drowning man would grab at straws despite all reason. Obviously, I had. Well, it’s done now. I look at the soulless eyes of the child, the endless patience on her face an
