"I don't think it's random," Dan agrees, "and it might explain why there was such-- such horror, thick like smoke in the air. If the goal is to smash light and purity, to consume it."

He has to snort.

"I'm not pure, but the shine was probably attractive."

He watches Kat as best he can. "I might be able to-- when my mind has had a chance to settle, it works best if I have something of theirs, but pictures could help. Names. There are a lot more ghosts out in the snow, they talk."