Vex was not in the shop. Percy hadn't expected her to be, either on an 'everything is normal' level or the level of dread that was slowly infusing his body. He'd come here because it was easier than walking up to the counter and asking the shade that pretended to be a person where his wife was.

Because it was easier than going back to his room and looking for signs that she was still here, that all bits of her hadn't been erased.

"I saw her last night." Of course he had. They'd fallen asleep together, skin to skin. Once, she'd curled up when she slept, body curved protectively about itself. Now, she slept holding onto him, possessive in the way that he loved so much.