The raven-haired girl who called herself Crow the Ninth raised her head, calmly regarding the two petrified girls before her. In an unnatural, seemingly forcibly distorted raspy voice, she said:
"As per Mr. Ansel's instructions, I am here to guide the refugees to a secure sanctuary on your behalf."
"You..."
Ravenna glanced at the ashen-faced Seraphina, who seemed at a loss for words, and spoke for her: "Are you... Marlina?"
"I am Crow Number Nine, directly under the command of Shadewell's leader, Lord Crow," the dark-haired girl replied, reintroducing herself instead of answering Ravenna's query. "You may address me as Crow the Ninth, or simply Nine."
Gazing at this girl before her—so vastly different from the gentle, white-haired girl she remembered—Ravenna found herself momentarily speechless.
