"Goat," Nova repeats. It makes as much sense as anything else, though in his mind, goats belong in stew first and foremost. Never mind the creepy one that roams the countryside that may or may not be a literal devil. He steps onto the elevator and pretends not to see Alex flinch. He wonders what she sees, because she must see something. Anyone lying in a bowl of milk naked to heal probably does.

"Going up," he says, hitting the button for the eighth floor.