I returned to find Max, Jiao and my son waiting for me with unhappy expressions. It didn't take words for them to get the point.

Another loss, another failure. Another blow. And no, I wasn't going to run away. But, damn it, this was getting old fast.

Max and Jiao left for the Stronghold while I whisked Gabriel into the veil and back to Wilding Springs. Gram and Sass paced the basement, coming to a halt as I exited the dark and ...