After some coaxing from Janus, Joanne finally retired to her room. Only Carlisle was left with Arina. Carlisle remained seated at the table in the backyard away from Arina. He poured a cup of tea for himself and began to read the book Janus gave it to him before he left.
Time passed, the two of them each occupying a corner of the backyard. Slowly, Arina seemed to get used to the presence of an extra person, she began to edge out of her corner. She hopped next to the peach tree and stared intently at the ribbon fluttering at the top.
Unbeknownst to her, her eyes transformed into a pair of bird eyes. Blue feathers also appeared around her eyes and on her forehead. She looked as if she was wearing a feather mask. Then she shrieked in pain and began to tug at the shackle around her wrist in frustration.
