I stood in the Crosspath, listening to the quiet, doing my best to stay focused despite the raging emotions simmering at the edges of my mind. Empathy made sense to me now. Being connected to the Loom had held me hostage, kept Chaos in check.

"You don't have to do this, Eve." Dad stood next to me, face creased in worry, though I know he was only being kind.

"Yes, I do." I stared at the place where the door to the Mist realm-it deserved to be named at last-had appeared ...