The water in the basin trembled. A narrow ring rose along its edge, then fell when Luna gasped.
Mingyue lifted her onto her lap.
"There's no one speaking here except us."
"I can still hear them."
"I know. Listen to me first."
Luna's shoulders had begun to lose their solid outline. Mingyue could still hold her, but water ran through the cloth beneath her hand and gathered against the chair.
Petricia pulled the basin from the table and set it on the floor beside them. She spread a towel beneath Luna's feet rather than trying to drag the water away from her body.
"Should I bring someone?"
"Keep the doorway clear," Alex said. "No one brings a call in here."
He crouched in front of Luna.
"Can you hear me?"
She nodded, then shook her head.
"There's too much."
Mingyue felt her own grip tighten and forced it to ease. Holding harder would not put their daughter back together.
