This couldn't be happening, not now, not after everything I'd gone through to rescue her. I stood there, feeling like she'd hit me physically, unable to act or react.

Luckily, Dad spoke up for me.

"You must return," he said, voice soft and low. "You need to be whole."

She snarled at him. "You should talk."

Dad flinched. "I'm trying at least," he said. "I know how important it is to return to where I belong."

She looked away from him, a deep scowl on ...