Despite her parents’ concern, Radiane is only home recuperating for two weeks. Her nose heals a bit crooked, but the effect is oddly pleasing: she no longer seems to be looking straight down it all the time.

Proserpina meets her at the gate, holding a stick. Radiane looks at her and says nothing. The bruising hasn’t entirely faded.

“Do you understand that I’m dangerous now?” asks Proserpina. “More dangerous than a storybook bully?”

Radiane nods.

“But you didn’t tattle on me.”

Radiane waits.

“I can teach you,” says Proserpina, almost shyly, “to be dangerous,” and holds out a literal olive branch.