"It's alright, Sylvia," she said. "Please, come in. Tell me what has happened."

Sylvia came in and slumped into a kitchen chair.

"It was dreadful," she said, wiping the back of her hands across her face. Felix stalked around the outside of the table with fur standing on end. "That fever was so strong I can't even remember the day before. I didn't even have the energy to be awake. The last thing I remember was sliding into this darkness, and dear Vita holding my hand. I was so peaceful..."

She looked into her hands, confusion settling over her brow. Flora pushed away her vision of Vita, clinging to the hand of a dying woman.

"And then...you became a ghost?" she asked tentatively. Sylvia's brow furrowed.

"There was a blinding light and a sharp pain," she said. "Then I was back. Like this. I don't know exactly what happened."

Flora exchanged a look with Felix. He was still glaring at her.

"I've never heard of such a thing," Flora said. "That's horrible. I'm so sorry."

"It was," Sylvia sighed. Then she folded her hands on the table. Flora waited.

"Flora..." she began, "I came to you because I was wondering if you could... if there might be a way for you to..."

Sylvia bit her lip, struggling to find the words. Flora's stomach twisted. She knew what she was trying to ask.

You know you can't bring her back, Felix warned her. You have to say no. You can't trust her.

Flora looked to Felix with narrowed eyes. You don't know that, she told him.

"Caius and Vita need me," Sylvia said finally. "I want to come home to them. I have to."

Flora tensed, Sylvia's hopeful face staring back at her. There were very few things Madrigal had warned her that she should not do with her magic, but this was one of them.

"Sylvia...I'm very sorry," she began, "but–."

"Flora, please." She reached to grip her hand, and Flora jumped again. "You cannot understand what this means to me, to my family."

"If I could have it any other way I would," Flora pleaded. "But the earth, its magic...it all depends on such a delicate balance. And to use it to raise someone from the dead..."

"So it is possible," she said with wonder. "Please, Flora? Do I not belong to this world? Did I not leave it unbalanced with my early, unnatural passing?"

"I suppose, but–."

"I'm not here out of pride," she insisted, staring unwavering into Flora's eyes. "I don't pretend that I'm above death, or that my life is more important than any other creature's. I'm here because I know Caius and Vita need me. All I ask is that you please, as a favor to me and my family, do what you can."

Flora sighed. Sylvia's features reminded her a bit of Caius. Thick browed, determined, albeit less severe. It was not long ago that he also sat at this table, desperate. She had helped him without question; she told him she would do everything she could for Sylvia. His hopes had been much more modest, and she had no doubt he had buried them with Sylvia's casket. Yet, he didn't know that she was here now. She wondered what he would say, seeing this small part of Sylvia at the same table. If those hopes would breathe again.

She thought of Vita, curled into her shoulder like a shriveled leaf. A husk of what a child should be, flung tumbling in the wind.

Flora wasn't a fool. She could feel the same tilt in the air as Felix, the prickly feeling that this might not be right. But Caius and Vita had placed their trust in her. Now it would always live there.

"I will see what can be done," she said. More tears grew in Sylvia's eyes.

"Thank you," she sniffled. "Thank you so much, my dear. I cannot begin to explain what this means to me."

Flora smiled back at her as she wiped some tears from her own eyes.

"I'll do some research in the morning," Flora said. "But I need rest. Please make yourself comfortable here."

With that Flora bid her goodnight and walked to her bedroom. Felix stomped after her, slipping in before she could shut the door.

What on earth are you thinking? he demanded, jumping onto her dresser to face her directly. This is absolute madness! Are you ill?

"Don't be absurd," Flora whispered back. She began perusing her bookshelf. "It's just Sylvia, Felix. And she's terribly lost and confused, the poor thing..."

That is not Sylvia, Felix snapped. That isn't even a person, Flora. And how you could be so careless as to let it into our home astounds me.

Flora yanked a book off the shelf a little too hard.

"Look!" she quipped. "I'll show you."

She flipped through the pages loudly, accidentally tearing one in the process. Then she dropped the book onto the dresser, open to the entry titled 'ghosts' in curling, gilded writing.

"See?"

I can't read, Felix snapped.

"It says that ghosts appear right at the moment of death, and are imprints of the departed's soul. The only way to banish them is to offer them peace in their passing."

Then why is she here? Why isn't she in the bakery, where she died? Why didn't she go to her family? Felix asked, circling around the book. His voice had taken on a more serious tone. It doesn't make sense. I don't trust her.

Flora rolled her eyes.

"It doesn't matter how she got here. The ghost is Sylvia's and Sylvia is our friend. She's not going to hurt us." Flora shut the book with a snap. "She won't even stay for long, because there isn't much I can do, but we owe this time to her and Caius. If nothing else, we can at least help ease her into her passing. The only way she'll rest is knowing she can't possibly return to her body."

She will not be 'eased into her passing', she made that quite clear this evening, Felix growled. I don't want her here. I am telling Madrigal at first light.

"No!" she said loudly, then glanced towards the door and lowered her voice. "Madrigal trusted me to take care of this village because she is too old to do it herself, and I don't want her traipsing alone through the woods in a panic. Please."

Have it your way, then, he snapped. But I will not have you sleeping while this creature roams through the house at night. I am going to watch her.

"Felix, that is so rude, I can't-."

Or I go to Madrigal now! he insisted.

"Fine!" she snapped, "But I'm warning you, Felix, do not make her feel the slightest bit unwelcome."

Felix made no answer, but instead jumped to the floor, slipping through the self-opening door and stalking back to the living room to stand watch.

Flora tucked herself into bed. The air still felt tilted.