I didn't bother troubling Sebastian with my appearance, instead stepping out of the veil immediately in the chamber itself and threw my arms around the stunning young woman who greeted me with a smile.

"I thought you were gone," I whispered to her soul that hugged me, as solid as any physical form.

"As did I," she said, sounding puzzled. "I felt the last battle. I was there, Syd."

"I didn't know." I wiped at tears, ...