Gwen remained quiet but struggled to quell her mind. Stray thoughts and what-ifs threatened to wander off to infinity. Gwen knew she was a hat trick in combat at best, and that was only if she could place an arrow or needle well and only on the off-chance that she could muster up the courage to inflict violence at all. She was a much better fly on the wall but at this rate there might not be a single wall left by the end of the night.

She turned her head back into Lea's embrace and let out a hopeless whimper. "I hope that's soon," she said.


Mars grinned faintly when she heard Jason's retort. "Right behind you," she insisted as he took off, and she watched the figures ahead shrink out of earshot.

Seamus withdrew her sword. "It appears we are on the same side today," she said as the dull hum of the blade quietened as she tucked it away in the scabbard. Seamus nodded toward Silas briefly. "Don't delay," she insisted.

Silas nodded in return. He offered the scythe to Mars next to him. "I can't fly with this," he admitted. Mars reached for the handle and blinked in surprise when she realized that Silas never let go. She stared at him, and he stared at the handle, and a moment passed between them in awkward silence. Silas close his eyes at some point and then finally resolved to let go. Mars continued to watch him, distress clear in his furrowed brow, and an unfamiliar sense crept up her spine. Eyes shut, Silas turned abruptly, summoned his wings, and took off toward the cabin. Guilt, she thought as he left. This is guilt.

"Do you need assistance here?" Seamus asked toward Solias. "The others know the way out already."

Silas frowned when he heard her voice from behind. It was difficult for him to accept the idea that a lie could protect someone. It was clear as day in war to lie to your enemy, but for Seamus and Mars to betray that they wholly intended to follow the children was a stab in the back at best. Still, he wondered. If they hadn't said that, would Jason and the other shinigami have left without them? He pressed forward.

"Hey!" he called as he approached the crew and landed.