Frieda watched Lune with an unreadable expression as the girl declared that she would speak to Rayth by herself. While she was pleased that the girl was willing to overcome her fears for the sake of reconciliation, she disliked the thought of giving her another chance to change her mind and run again. There was no way to insist on accompanying her, though. Not without giving away her distrust. She would just have to have faith that the oracles’ prediction had been correct. “Very well then,” she nodded approvingly, rising to her full height from the bleacher. “Come this way.” Leading Lune back into the yard, the faerie strategically placed herself between the girl and the other members of the troupe. Most of her creatures had finished feeding already, but the ground was littered with the unconscious bodies of their victims. Given how the runaway had reacted to just one vampire, she wasn’t about to let her have a direct view of that horrific scene. Instead, she directed her to the fence, where Rayth was still napping in the grass. The half-vampire hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but between his exhaustion from the long night and the effects of the incense in the air, he’d passed out almost as soon as his head had touched the ground. Now, he was laying sprawled out on his back with one knee up, leaning against the wooden barrier. Though he was tired, all it took was one call of his name from Frieda to awaken him. He groaned and stretched languidly, groggy from the chemicals that still lingered in his brain, before he sat up to see why the ringmistress wanted him. The start of a broad yawn escaped his lips but wasn’t completed as his gaze landed on Lune. His breath caught, and he snapped his mouth shut as if hiding his fangs could make her forget they were there. He hadn’t expected to see her again after she’d fled from him in terror. Frieda noticed his bemused expression. “Rayth, would you mind talking to my dear Lune for a minute?” the faerie simpered at him. “I think it would do you both good.” “Sure,” he said slowly, still taking in the situation. Dozens of questions buzzed in his head. Where had Frieda found Lune? Why was she back now? What did she want him to talk to her about? Too discombobulated to get his thoughts in order, he didn’t ask any of them as he climbed to his feet. “I’ll leave you both to it,” Frieda nodded. “If either of you need anything else, please come and find me.” As the faerie walked away, Rayth turned toward Lune. He wasn’t sure how to approach her after she had run from him, and he didn’t know what the ringmistress wanted him to say to her either. However, the persisting silence was even more awkward, so he cleared his throat. “So… do you want to go inside?” he asked with a tilt of his head toward the big top. “It’s not as smoggy in there.”