Broken Antler Fen Dead girl!

The call struck her heart hard. Ibis knew what loss felt like and refused to let it take root, but she felt the absence of her aunt too. The voice on the wind was not one she knew (nor really liked, considering how off-key it sounded), but the fact that they called for Wraen specifically caused the air to whoosh from Ibis' lungs.

She had just tucked her babies in for a nap. Her mind still buzzing from her thoughts of Eljay, of Maia's sadness, of Akavir — but she could do this one little thing, thought the ex-ruler. Just one little thing at a time, and she could get through anything.

By the time Ibis appeared near where the stranger lingered, she was not alone. Teya was there; her voice was sharply barbed as they announced the news to a thick-set, swarthy, bright-banded wolf.