A gyrfalcon taps on the outside of a window, catching the woman’s attention. It’s here to bring the woman to the encounter she has thought about for a while, which her mother would not approve of. She thinks about her six-foot-tall mother now, who used to be a boxer until she had the woman. They both have magic in their blood, which the woman uses in order to practice healing. Healing, however, is precarious, as it sometimes involves taking upon the pain of others. Although shielding is sometimes used to protect oneself from it, the woman has spent a long time healing others without it, leading to consequences.

Now, at night, the woman follows the gyrfalcon. First, she trudges through snow and pine, following the hidden paths made by others, which are sometimes annoying. Soon enough, she arrives in time to heal a newborn, born with incredible promise but an unsustainable body, while her parents are asleep. After that, she goes to a hospital room where her distant cousin is after having suffered from a terrible fall. He also has magical powers, but few know that other than his family. There, she sees that the top of his head is removed, where she tries to focus her powers. Although he ends up living, he lacks his magical powers. Hardly with any strength left, she moves onto her last stop.

At her last stop, he goes to a monster’s house, a cabin in the woods. He smells her right away and greets her at his front door. He threatens her while they talk, after which he pounces on her, feeding on her blood. She allows him to, taking on his curse, all while her blood courses through him. She starts to transform, but his mind and heart, then the rest of his body, turn back human. By dawn, he burns up and explodes into flame. She thinks about all that her mother has taught her. She follows the gyrfalcon once more, to the cabin where her mother is, and hugs her.