Barrow Fields Let's go back, back to the beginning

All this was quite upsetting to Kincaid, even though he'd half convinced himself it must be some kind of trick. But Nine's scent was not on her pelt. Of course it wasn't; he was happy, a thousand miles behind him with his Mollie. And he hadn't chased Kin down, so of course he wouldn't send someone else to do it for him. No, if he'd wanted to find him, Nine would have come here himself.

So the woman knew things.

"Maybe them spirits is speakin' t'you," he said quietly, turning his face away to hide his shame, "but you ain't understandin'. I don't give a rat's ass what folk think of me — but that boy deserved more, and he got it. It don't matter no more that I'm damaged or restless, long as he's taken care of."

His heart thumped uncertainly. "He's still with Mollie, ain't he? He didn't — " Kincaid felt his stomach drop, and he was sure he'd soon be sick. "He ain't dead?"

What did across the veil mean? And was Eleuthera in danger?

"Ma'am, please. What all am I meant t'do, here?"