Randvi knows, in the place at the back of her mind where she can still think logically, that one place is no safer than another from this creature. It had killed La’an outside, and then the four men inside the god’s house, and now it seems that it is killing even in Lakeside.

Still, it feels safer in here, hidden but capable of providing warmth and comfort, than it could possibly be out there.

It would be cruel to say so to a healer, but she can think it to herself: there is comfort in knowing that it isn't Sveta being taken by that thing now.

“Perhaps… if the talisman works, perhaps it won’t take anyone.”