She walked between them and continued through the entrance hall. Lancet glanced at Spectra before they followed, and Spectra's usual amusement had softened into a quiet look of understanding.
Neither tried to interrupt Opaline as she crossed the great front doors and stepped onto the broad path leading toward the estate gates.
But then Vaelric's voice came hollering from behind them.
"Opaline?! Opaline?!" he shouted. "Do not leave this house, girl! If you do, never come back! You think your powers will take you anywhere?! You are nothing without this family! Opaline!"
Opaline's shoulders jerked at every line, but her feet did not stop. She kept walking between Lancet and Spectra with her head raised while her gown dragged over the paved path behind her.
The bright fabric looked almost absurd against the anger in her stride, as though the old life had wrapped itself around her ankles and expected her to turn back once it became inconvenient.
