EMBER’S POV

Something flickers across Hale’s face. It comes too fast, and its gone before I can name it, smoothed over with that bright, blinking pleasantness, like a stone dropping into water and the surface going still again right after.

“Your wife,” she says, and gives a little laugh, high and quick. “Well. Isn’t that something. Isn’t that just— something.” She clasps her hands under her chin. “She’s so small, Knox. Look at her little face. Where did you find her?”

I open my mouth, but Knox gets there first, and his voice has cooled a few degrees.

“Ember, this is Hale. My cousin, on my father’s side.” He says...