Allissa

I didn’t get to say be careful. I didn’t get to say anything. The goodbyes happen at a run, over your shoulder, half heard.

There was no time for speeches. Eira’s hand closed hard on my arm. “Listen for my word.” Then she and Heath headed into the red dark.

Heath took Eira and bent away along the terrace walks, toward the circle’s skirt, to get her close enough to reach the rite’s seam. Squall had the western sky, and any breath now he was going to make the whole mountain ...