Lula and Phon Kennecott arrive in a wash of blue fire as Femke and Syd talk in the corner. I hover outside the door where Sage is being held. Syd won't let me inside and it's probably for the best, but I just want to be with him and try to heal him myself if I can. A gasp of relief escapes me at the sight of the healer twins, and Miriam who appears behind them.

Syd's mother hugs me, kisses my cheek, her warm magic cradling me as though I am a ...