Blackfeather Woods you've got to ste[m] the evil tide

The blank, confused stare only served to enrage her further; fire rose up within her belly, sudden and swift, the force of a blaze that devoured acres and acres upon woodland.

Eat! Maegi said louder, scoffing. Aren't you hungry?! I can see every bone in your body, Parvati!

Something akin to sympathy accompanied the anger, as if the kind feelings she'd once harbored for the woman, before all this had happened, were coming back. For a brief moment, she felt compelled to snatch the rabbit away, to prevent this tragedy. . . But Parvati was gone, right? She was as much a ghost now as Mou was, somewhere. . .?

There was no life in those eyes, Maegi felt. No spark. Wasn't this the greatest kindness?

She shook her head. Please eat, she said, quieter, glancing away. Her eyes, her voice, her expression were cold, the antithesis of the heat that was there just a moment before. Eat—and you will meet your gods again.

Wasn't that something she wanted?

Maegi would want that for herself.