Zoey woke with the heavy weight of dread pressing on her chest, though the room smelled of morning dew and soft skin. Layla and Rose lay tangled on the bed across from her, their limbs wrapped like ivy. A sliver of golden light slid through the wooden shutters, glinting off strands of Rose's hair as she whispered something into Layla's ear that made her giggle in her sleep. That same giggle. The one Zoey had heard in the forest. That high, airy note that didn't belong to any of them. Or maybe it did now.
Zoey sat up, pretending to stretch, letting her eyes scan the room like she always did, calm, measured, invisible. Emma and Stella were still dozing, their bare legs entwined in a lazy embrace. Susan snored softly near the fire. Sophie and Grace were missing, probably gone for an early wash by the river. Jude wasn't in the room either. Her stomach twisted.