The storm raged in full fury by the time Angus returned from reinforcing the cabin's defenses, his boots leaving muddy tracks across the rough-hewn floors. Evelina startled from her restless doze at the sound of the door banging open, clutching Luna more tightly to her chest.

"Apologies for the racket," Angus grumbled, divesting himself of his soaked outerwear and draping it haphazardly over the back of a chair to dry. He crossed to the fireplace and prodded at the glowing embers with an iron poker, coaxing them to renewed life. "Wind's pickin' up somethin' fierce out there."

Evelina nodded mutely, her thoughts straying back to the winding path that had...