God wasn’t done with his “I told you so’s,” continuing to remind Lauren of her massive mistake. “This is what happens when you put yourself.

Lauren threw her hands in the air. “A bird! He murdered a bird, Luce! Right in front of children! Kids screamed and ran for cover."

As the heavy wooden door thundered shut behind her, Theo felt the weight of the world momentarily lift from her shoulders.

Two women, wrapped in myth and whispers, pressed together in the shadows.