“It’s so good to be back!” Carol whooped, pushing open the front door to the cabin.

  “Do you want to help Jin and I unload,” Roman’s asked, his breath clouding as he heaved a heavy box out of the trunk, “or are you just going to stand there?”

  “Excuse me, how do you think you’re going to fit all the stuff in if I don’t open both doors here?” Carol slid latches top and bottom on the right side of the door and pushed it open, doubling the space.

  “Thank you,” Jin said, stepping carefully onto the deck with one of the boxes. Her breath didn’t cloud out here in the gentle snow as still, she had a mask on.

  “Phew!” Zoe said, stepping out of her car. “Thank goodness we made it before it started snowing too heavily. I’m not sure I still remember how to put on snow chains.”

  Ever got out from the passenger’s seat side and looked up at their accommodation for the next few days.

  “It’s nice, isn’t it?” Zoe said. “If you’re going to stay overnight at the snow, it’s a log cabin or nothing!”

  Ever held a hand out, catching white flecks. “Are you sure Mimi will be OK at the clinic?”

  “Oh is that what you’re worried about?” Zoe said. “I would never leave our animals untaken care of. She’ll be fed and watered everyday.” She came across to his side, glanced at the rest of her colleagues and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “She might even have some stories for you about the friends she’ll make." She grabbed his hand and pulled him in. “Come on, I’ll show you our room.”

  —--

  “No, it’s my turn!” Carol whined, face flushed, rocking forward and back.

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  “You literally just dared Ever to kiss you,” Roman said. He swirled his mug of mulled wine slowly, the rim stained red. “And he kissed your hand because you didn’t tell him where.”

  Ever felt good. This wulled mine was like honeyed fire; it was best thing he’d ever drank. He looked across at Zoe, who had curled up and fallen asleep on the sofa.

  “You’re such a cheat,” Carol growled.

  “My turn,” Roman said, he looked to Jim. “Truth or dare?”

  She was wearing an oversized Oodie adorned with bananas. “Dare.”

  “OK,” Roman said, stretching the vowel out. “I dare you to take your mask off.”

  Ever thought that she would refuse straight away. To his surprise, she slipped it off without hesitation. Her nose and mouth looked normal, like there was nothing to hide.

  “Why do you wear it? You look nice.” Ever said.

  She looked to him, then smiled with her teeth briefly. “I’ve got a snaggle tooth,” she said, going redder than she already was.

  “What’s that?” Ever said.

  She covered her face with both hands, shaking her head.

  “It’s a fang,” Roman said, pointing at his own incisor. “Sticking out a bit.”

  “Really?” Ever said. “I didn’t even notice.”

  “Really?” She replied, peeping out from behind her fingers.

  “Really.”

  “Really? Really? Really?” Carol mimicked, bursting in a fit of giggles.

  ? Ever. ?

  The voice that tapped into his mind was new, but he recognised it straightaway.

  *Nyx?*

  ? I’m at the back of this house you’re in. Could you come outside for a moment? ?

  Ever stood up, steadying himself on the arm of the sofa. “I’m going to get some air,” he said. “Carol, you can have my turn.”