Gabriel came to me, the stranger he'd been gone now, aware and himself all over again. I clung to Max as I hugged my son to me with one arm, feeling empty and alone despite the boy who squeezed me tight and the powerful drach holding my hand.

The world finally settled again, the Stronghold's shaking subsiding, dust filling the air, making me cough.

"Mom," Gabriel whispered into my t-shirt. "I'm sorry."

I shook my ...