"Won't." He let go of me and hopped up onto the Water Beetle Water Beetle. "Any messages?"
"Molly," I said. "When she gets back, ask her to send Toot and Lacuna to me. And... tell her that when she's ready to talk, I'm here."
Thomas nodded, untied the last line, and tossed it to me. I caught it and started coiling it. Thomas climbed up onto the bridge and took the ship out, chugging away at the sedate pace he would use until he cleared the stone reefs around Demonreach.
Karrin came out of the cabin and stood on the deck. Mouse came with her, looking solemn. She leaned back against the cabin's wall and watched me as she went.
I watched, too, until I couldn't see her anymore.
Thunder rumbled over Lake Michigan, unusual in November.
I settled the new black leather duster over my shoulders, picked up the long, rough branch I'd cut from the island's oldest oak tree a few hours before, and started back up the hill, toward the former lighthouse and future cottage. I had preparations to make.
There was a storm coming in.