Shade smiled apologetically as the woman behind the veil asked softly:
"Was I indifferent to everything when you first met me?"
"Yes, because of the influence of that Stone Heart."
Later, when she gave that heart to Shade, he had nearly wept merely from touching the Winter Flower growing on the stone.
"Then do you remember the last question you asked me?"
"Of course. I asked at the time—'Even now, do you still love Stone Osenfott?'"
As Shade repeated the question, Haila nodded. The Underworld Moon illuminated their profiles, and both of them looked very serious. The departing souls shimmered with light behind them, while Priest Augustus silently watched from beside the door.
"My answer is yes. I hate him. I no longer have a burning heart, and I no longer care about anything in the world, but I still love him. Mr. Hamilton, whether your heart is cold and empty has nothing to do with whether you love someone."
Shade was somewhat puzzled. He parted his lips slightly, unsure of what to say, while Haila Osenfott continued:
"If you love her, then you will love her at any time, even if all you remember is that you are supposed to love her. I am not a Supernatural Being, so I cannot discuss the effect of 'love' on the soul. But simple indifference cannot change love and attachment. I am certain of that. If I truly no longer loved Stone, I would not have entrusted you with freeing him from where he was trapped in this world."
"So that was what your commission meant. Indifference alone cannot change it."
"Mr. Hamilton, would you forget those you love because of their mistakes?"
The woman asked again, and Shade immediately shook his head. Last saturday, Dorothy and Leisha had done something so