He gave a few more quiet words to Sylvia Nightfang and Hazel Ashford, then let us go.
The attendants loaded the ceremonial offerings into the vehicle.
We were about to get in when Hazel Ashford suddenly said she'd forgotten something and turned back toward the estate.
I reached for the door, ready to climb in, but a hand closed around my wrist.
"What did Grandfather mean by 'one last time'? Are you hiding something from us?"
I looked down at his hand. Calmly, I pulled free.
"Nothing." My voice was level. "Grandfather just doesn't want me dwelling in the past anymore. That's all he meant."
I got into the vehicle and shut the door.
Clean. Final. Without looking at him again.
He stood where I'd left him, staring at his own empty hand, fingertips hollow against the air. His brow tightened before he realized it.
He sensed, dimly, that something was slipping out of his control. But the feeling was too faint to hold, too shapeless to name.
He wanted to press further.
But Hazel Ashford was already hurrying back, looping her arm through his.
"Let's go, darling."
He swallowed the words before they left his mouth.