I raise my eyebrows and straighten up. “Oh, I see. The two of you have made friends now. So youthink it’s appropriate to stand up to me.”
I shake my head and she snaps her mouth shut immediately. Gaiman moves forward and puts his handon Ariel’s shoulder. It’s a light touch. A reminder.
“Come on,” he tells her.
“No,” I say harshly. “Ariel stays. Take Willow. Put her back in her room. Make sure she stays there.”
Willow doesn’t move. She doesn’t give any indication that she’s even heard me speak. She just stayson her knees, staring at the carpet like there is a way to turn back time woven into the pattern.
It’s only when Gaiman grabs her and helps her to her feet that she snaps out of it. “Wait. Leo.”
I turn to her, my expression dark. She takes one look at my face and I watch the regre
