Heron Lake Plateau i.x : who was only a stranger at home

The gilded woman who greeted her was not friendly in the least, although Maegi couldn't blame her for that. A dirty, twisted girl on her doorstep? She would be wary, too, if she wasn't so fond of the damned. The Melonii shifted her paws, faux grief bubbling up in her throat like the bile from the other day. Just say it. . .

Is this Redhawks territory? she asked, her voice tiny and timid and empty. Her mismatched gaze was plaintive as she stared at the guardian. I have some news for them. She swallowed, glancing away. She hurt as if it had truly happened.

But he had been dead to her, since failing to protect the forest from the intruder. 

That didn't mean, though, that Maegi would fail to protect him from himself. 

Dead, but she loved him anyway.

Scree is dead, Maegi whispered, giving the name he'd slurred before.