Utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally, Ginny allowed herself to slump against her brother. Though normally a comforting presence in his life, Elliot's best efforts were no longer getting the job done—leading the witch to wonder if she was, at last, truly beyond comfort. She had survived a great deal in her near quarter-century of life, but perhaps this sin would be the event that finally did her in.

"It's better than nothing, I suppose," she allowed reluctantly, voice soft and pensive. "Is this—is this to be my life from now on? I had thought, had prayed, I was already enduring the worst of it."

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