Page 135 of Lady of Ashes

“How are you, Mary Ellen?” Tava asked when the woman shut the door behind her.

“I’d be better if I was still sleeping,” she grumbled.

“I am sure that is the case. Helen told me he has found his way into the alcohol again,” Tava replied.

“It ain’t my fault,” Ivan said, while he was lowered to a sagging sofa against a wall. “I jus’ miss my Alice so much. She was the only thing that could keep my demons away.”

“I know, Ivan,” Tava said quietly. “Do you need anything else before we go?” she asked, turning to Mary Ellen.

“No, dear. I got him from here,” the woman answered. “Go get some rest. You look exhausted.” Tava’s cheeks flushed slightly at the words, as Mary Ellen added, “You can’t do the work the two of you were doing together by yourself, dear. Even though you are certainly attempting it.”

“I will be ?ne, Mary Ellen. If I cannot return with food and blankets myself, I will make sure that some ?nds its way here,” Tava answered. She turned to leave before pausing and looking back over her shoulder. “How is William?”

Mary Ellen’s face went taut. “He did not make it.”

“When?” Tava asked quietly.

“Two days ago.”

Tava nodded once, then went to the door without another word. They made their way back to the street in silence, Callan and Finn ?anking her.

“I have one more stop to make. To drop off a tonic,” Tava said.

“All right,” Callan agreed. They walked in silence a few more minutes before Callan asked, “Who was Alice?”

“Ivan’s daughter,” Tava answered curtly.

“She … died?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Ivan was arrested in the markets. They said he was trying to steal. He swears he wasn’t. Either way, he was held in the stocks for a week. No one knew where he’d hidden Alice while he’d gone out to try to ?nd her food. By the time they found her, she had died from dehydration,” Tava answered. “She was four.”

Callan nearly tripped over his feet, but before he could say anything more, a ?gure rushed out in front of them.

“You!” the man cried, reaching for Tava’s hand. “You are the one they talk about. You help them!”

The man’s eyes were frantic, and he seemed half-crazed, but Finn had already stepped in front of Tava, blocking the man’s access to her. Callan was pulling her into his side.

“Relax. He just needs help,” Tava said quietly, nudging Finn to the side.

“It’s you, right? The one he calls the angel?”

“Are you speaking of Ivan?” Tava asked.

“Yeah, that’s him. He said you can help my son,” the man cried. “These the shadows?”

“No. She is not here, but I can try to help. What do you need?”

“Can you come see him?”

Tava shook her head. “I’m sorry. I am not a healer, but if you tell me what is wrong, I can see if they can help and bring—”

“No, you need to come see him. He’s only a lil’ boy. Please!”

“All right,” Tava said, taking a step towards the man.

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