Sophie leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder, her fingers entwined with his. Rose sat close on his other side, her thigh pressed to his, her hand tracing idle circles on his knee. Zoey and Scarlet lay side by side, their laughter quiet now, their touches tender. Lucy cleaned her blade but glanced often at the fire, at the faces of those she would protect with her life. Natalie and Stella shared a blanket, their heads together, their voices low. Susan and Grace curled together, their bond as visible as the spiral itself. Emma kept her silent vigil at the edge of the firelight, but she was at ease, the peace of the night reflected in her steady gaze.
The fire crackled, the stars wheeled overhead, and the spiral's hum threaded through it all, a promise that whatever came next, they would face it as they always had.