Tie it on. Evander’s fingers fumbled with it, already numb from the cold winds before even setting foot out there; or perhaps it was just the fear of it, because something in his mind could only connect ropes to nooses. But if Alfred thought being tied together was going to help and not just drag one or the both of them down, drown them in the encroaching waves, then fine – Evander didn’t have time enough to question him.

“Alright,” he agreed, once he had gotten the rope about himself – it had taken a try or two to get it securely, but he was only glad not to slow them down any more by asking his brother for help. Evander stowed his wand again, supposing it would only get blown away out of doors, and nodded at his brother once more, yes, I’m ready, and then plunged outside.

He already felt lost and bewildered and adrift under this howling sky, but, while he was still close enough to communicate, yelled in Alfred’s ear, “I think – this way!” She would not have gone wandering off away from the party all the way to the terrace or down to the boardwalk or the beach in this weather, surely; but her sister-in-law had gone outside for some fresh air a little earlier, so perhaps Caroline had gone the same way as that. Hopefully if she had merely skirted alongside the building, she might have been able to stay out of harm’s way.

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