Dragoncrest Cliffs Dude, this is a Wendy's restaurant.

She felt a cathartic relaxation as Val explained he wasn't offended, followed by an explanation of who everyone was. Erzulie, she thought she knew—the kind woman who'd helped her first, an older woman, clearly in charge.

Lilitu's tension faded and she nodded at his first question, then stilled at the next two.

I'm fine, Val, she said, glancing up at his dark visage, his bright eyes. He was handsome in a strange way, a windblown rakish young man. I'm from Brecheliant, she explained. It's way inland. But I was looking for my sister, Arielle.

She didn't even pursue that train of thought. If they knew Arielle, they'd respond, but she doubted that. It was merely an explanation, now, not a lifeline.