We all knew Auburdeen was desperate for another child, but I think even Gabriel was shocked to announce their next pregnancy within a month of Adalee's death. This babe at least felt healthy to me when I reached for her, but when I felt nothing but her heartbeat even in the last few weeks of the pregnancy, I knew the sad truth.
Benella Rosabel came into the world a latent child, powerless. Burdie's grief affected us all, even the dear baby, who I cared for carefully as I had the children before her. And as sweet as she was, much like Damon had been, as lovely and kind a girl as she grew to be, there was always a longing on Benella's face when it came to Auburdeen.
Knowing my wisdom wouldn't be welcome, I confronted Burdie anyway. "You cannot ignore this girl because she's not a witch," I
