Celeste kept trying to talk to Tragos, to get to know him, find out how her daughter had gotten so disastrously ill so quickly. He seemed so... not her daughter's type, that it surprised her that this sullen young man was sitting so dutifully by.
Marcie felt Hecate's answer rather than heard it, like glows of colour behind her eyelids. Her body felt so heavy, like she was trapped inside it. Part of her wanted to shake it loose. She cast about in her mind, looking for the way through, to find the beautiful fields, to see the great heroes and greet Hades and Persephone like old friends. Curiosity tugged at her.
I am not afraid.
She felt sad for her family, and for Tragos, but she needed to be free.