" - for the first time, Miss Peregrine, you're late."
The woman, dressed entirely in a flattering shade of navy blue that flashed black under the sunlight, did not stiffen at the sudden exchange from behind her. Instead, she turned her head slightly, her face twisted with a small smile at the presence of the other Ymbryne. The two peculiars moved together on the edge of the hilltop, just outside the former woman's property and on the escape of her loop, and the woman who had spoken held out her hand to shake the other woman's long-fingered and thin, pale hand. Miss Peregrine took her hand and pulled her forward into her grip, hugging her for the first time since the beginning of their arrangement of the familiar daily stroll.
Behind Miss Peregrine, the twins, both dressed in thick white cloth suits, moved forward to join the hug out of habit. Beside them, Fiona, Hugh and Claire were waiting patiently for their routine to begin once more.
"Where are your children, Miss Hawk?" asked Miss Peregrine, frowning. "This is most backwards - "
" - we were attacked last night, Miss Peregrine," replied the other Ymbryne, Miss Hawk, gravely. "All of the children managed to escape, naturally, and they're staying with Miss Raven in Blackpool, not far from Miss Avocet and her children, for the instance in which I can gather our belongings and secure another loop."
"Were any of them injured?" inquired Miss Peregrine in concern, one hand straying to the back of Claire's neck soothingly.
"Unfortunately, I was rendered unconscious in the beginnings of the battle," said Miss Hawk regretfully, shaking her head. "The hollows that attacked were under the false pretence that I was the main threat. When I awoke, I found the carefully marked outlines of four deceased hollows, and my children were upstairs, packing everything. When I checked all of them for injury following our departure from the loop, it was described to me that my three oldest - Benjamin, Theodora and Lucas - had managed to defeat four hollows without assistance, while my twins, both ten, kept the younger children safe."
"Yes, but were any injured?" Miss Peregrine said sternly, frowning, brow furrowed with concern and worry.
"Theodora's legs have been badly wounded, it appears she attempted to distract the hollows while the children escaped," said the other Ymbryne. "She was thrown into several walls and windows, and was used as a battering ram at one point, and when I found her, she had to be carried out of the loop. Lucas' shoulder had been popped out of its socket, and Benjamin was covered in scrapes and bruises."
Miss Peregrine swallowed and her hands came together at her waist. Miss Hawk watched her carefully.
"Does this mean that we are all in danger?" she inquired, almost dreading the answer. Miss Hawk's lips thinned.
"I fear the hollows and the Wights are growing more desperate, and with that more powerful," she replied cautiously. "I have seen several white-eyed people, and read many articles from other Ymbrynes on the sightings across the entire world, but in my travel here I have yet to see a Wight or hollow here."
Nodding, Miss Peregrine smiled tightly.
"However, I do believe it might be in your best interest to move the loop, even if it is just on the other side of the island," said Miss Hawk. "Despite your particular attachment to your current loop, in the interest of your children, and in the lives of those you're tasked to take care of, I do urge you to move your loop, or at least throw them off by creating another one somewhere else."
Miss Peregrine swallowed. "Until I am certain that there have been Wights sighed nearby, I will not force my children to move unnecessarily," she said crisply.
"I imagined you would say that," said Miss Hawk, smiling slightly. "In the case of an attack, you and your children are more than welcome to find us. My loop will be somewhere in Blackpool, nearby Miss Avocet's own loop. Should you need me, my children and I will always help."
"Thank you, Rebecca," said Miss Peregrine, smiling slightly.
"You need only ask, Alma," replied Miss Hawk with a smile.
Then, with a whirl of her black dress, the Ymbryne left the ground entirely - and soared into the air, taking the form of a large, broad-winged hawk.