Florence gestured to the couch for us to sit down. I did so. Rafael and Julian chose to stand. Florence herself moved to a nearby rocking chair. There she sunk down, and immediately picked up a pair of knitting needles.
Soon, there were footsteps down the hall. I braced myself for the appearance of a small child. I was surprised when Matthew turned out to be a bit older, around twelve or thirteen. Still a child, but almost a teenager. The necklace, so like Alice’s, hung around his neck.
How long had he suffered the same condition as Alice? Gods, it must have been nightmarish for him.
“Matthew,” Florence said. “This is Healer Amber and her friends. Amber, this is my grandson, Matthew.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
He nodded, polite but watchful. I could understand his mistrust. We’d see
