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Amelia walked briskly. Her rage had peaked and was now beginning to ebb. That annoyed Amelia to no end. She only hoped it wouldn’t fade entirely before she found Tara.

She’d checked anywhere Tara might be. Amelia couldn’t see Tara knocking on someone’s door so she checked every unoccupied building, the hall, the church, every hut she could find.

But no Tara.

Amelia started to wonder if when Tara said she had to get out of here, she might have meant it in the larger sense. She wouldn’t be silly enough to try and get off the island tonight, would she?

Amelia went down to the dock. She was pretty sure there was no point. What could Tara have done without Tom and his vessel? But when she got there and looked out, she did see something in the sea. A little way down the coast, an old rowboat was out there, bashing about on the waves. But there was no one in it.

Amelia felt panic flood through her.

The sun was long gone, but the moon was bright, and as Amelia scanned the water, she saw it reflect off something in the water. A figure struggling against the waves, frantic in the water.

Amelia’s heart raced as she turned on her heel and sprinted back toward the village. Reaching the bell tower, she grabbed the rope and tugged hard, the loud toll of the bell ringing out across the village.

The first person she saw was Morris, the postman, his head popping out of his front door nearby. ‘What’s the to-do?’ he called over.

Amelia didn’t hesitate. ‘Tara’s out there,’ she said, her voice sharp with urgency. ‘She’s in trouble. We need help, now!’

The alarm raised, Amelia turned back, sprinting down to the shoreline, tearing off her coat. The frigid water slammed into her legs as she waded in, and then she dove, the cold shocking her lungs. Amelia was a strong swimmer, but the current was punishing, dragging her down and away with every stroke.

But she wouldn’t give up. She pushed with everything in her.

She reached Tara just as the woman was going under. Amelia lunged, grabbing Tara’s arm and pulling her upward. Tara coughed and sputtered, her panicked eyes locking onto Amelia’s.

‘I’ve got you!’ Amelia shouted, though her voice barely carried over the roar of the waves.

She wrapped an arm around Tara’s chest and kicked hard, trying to propel them back toward shore. But the tide was merciless, dragging them farther out. Amelia’s muscles screamed with the effort of holding Tara above water, her strength fading.

They weren’t going to make it.

Then, out of the foggy dusk, voices called out. Shapes appeared on the shore—Solhaven’s residents answered the bell. They moved swiftly, improvising a rescue. Two islanders waded in with a rope tied to a sturdy log while others anchored it from the rocks.

‘Hold on!’ someone yelled, their voice cutting through the chaos.

The rope splashed into the water, landing just within reach. With a final surge of strength, Amelia grabbed it and wrapped it around Tara’s arm, securing her first. The islanders pulled, hauling Tara toward the shore as she sagged, barely conscious.

Amelia clung to the rope, but her strength gave out. She felt herself slipping beneath the waves. Just as darkness threatened to take her, strong hands gripped her arms, dragging her out of the freezing water.

When she hit the rocky shore, the cold air felt like fire against her skin. She gasped for breath, rolling onto her back as Solhaven’s residents swarmed around, ensuring both she and Tara were safe.

Amelia saw Harriet watching from a distance. Amelia would have assumed she’d see anger on the Elder’s face at the two escapees. But she looked afraid, worried.

Tara lay a few feet away, pale and shaking but alive. Amelia crawled over, her body trembling from exertion and cold, and checked for signs of life. Tara’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused but aware.

‘You... you saved me,’ Tara croaked, her voice hoarse.

Amelia nodded, her voice lost in the swirl of exhaustion and relief. Around them, the residents moved as one, wrapping both women in blankets.

The strength of the community she had questioned had saved them both. Solhaven had answered her call.