Darkness fell long before they reached the burrow, but any danger gave Gar a wide berth.

Natalie rode on Gar’s head the whole way while Jarin fluttered randomly about, sometimes far ahead or behind, sometimes very close, too close for Natalie; she needed no reminder of her disastrous failure. But as night fell, Jarin kept closer to Gar, and his burn, that livid reminder, glistened white in the starlight.

“Why did we bring him?” Natalie whispered, sticking her head into Gar’s ear.

Gar twitched his ear, buffeting Natalie. “Because it’s good to have two in the snake hole. Shiva can be grumpy, but she’ll hesitate to strike with two. That’s why.”

Natalie shot a glance at Jarin who frowned back. “You mean she won’t come out?” she asked.

“You have to confront her in her domain, otherwise every squirrel forgetting where he hid his nuts would be asking her. “This way, only the brave will seek her out.”

Jarin flew up next to them. “Then how do you ask her?”

Gar grunted. “Good question. We bears bring sacrifices.”

Jarin hovered in place for a moment. “Are we sacrifices?”

Gar lolled his head to the side and huffed at Jarin. “Don’t be silly. Natalie’s my friend.”

“Natalie’s your friend, what about me?”

“You’re here to help Natalie. Besides I’m not the one with a question.”