The fire inside the stone heart cracked loudly, but Aria couldn’t hear it. The flickering lights cast similar shadows around the cottage.

Aria sat still, her legs curled beneath her as she mused about Rose’s words. The silence of the cottage pressed down on her shoulders like the crushing weight of the moon.

The quiet night was usually the most peaceful time for her, but not today. Not when her head was pounding hard like some creature was trying to claw its way out from outside. ...