Flashback ( PDFDrive )

But none of that mattered.
“Silveny’s in labor,” Sophie repeated. “We need your mom—now.”
Stina nodded, her mass of dark curls shaking as she shouted into
her house, “MOM—THE ALICORN’S IN LABOR!” then motioned for
Sophie to follow her as she jogged toward a barnlike structure tucked
among two of the larger pastures.
“How far apart are the contractions?” Stina asked when Sophie
caught up to her.
“I don’t know,” Sophie admitted. “I don’t think Edaline timed
them.”
“So Silveny’s at Havenfield?”
“No, I brought Grady and Edaline to her. She’s at some beach that
she and Greyfell have been hiding out at.”
“Ugh, so we’re going to need everything,” Stina grumbled, picking
up her pace and ducking into the barn. “And just so I’m clear,” she
said, leaning closer to whisper, “that’s a troll, right?”
“She’s one of my new bodyguards,” Sophie agreed.
Stina blew out a breath, tossing several curls off her forehead.
“Okay. I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore. Come on.” She
headed for a series of cabinets lining the far wall and started handing
out supplies for everyone to carry: metal basins and casks of water and
stacks of towels and blankets, satchels of medicine, plus several
tongslike contraptions—and Sophie really didn’t want to think about
how they’d be used.
“Don’t forget gloves,” Vika called from behind them, and Sophie
turned to find Stina’s mom pulling her dark wavy hair into a ponytail.
“How far apart are the contractions?” she asked, not bothering with a
greeting.