The sixth morning in Silver Bay arrived under a sky the color of old stone. Elena woke early. The warning from the whispers the night before stayed with her like a cold hand on her shoulder. Someone still watched the house. The ground was not the only danger. Yet the pull toward Adrian and toward the unopened letter was stronger than the fear. She prepared herself carefully, drank her tea, and walked down the path to the beach.

Adrian was already waiting. His dark coat was buttoned against the wind. When he saw her, his face showed both relief and a quiet tension.