My mother’s words made no sense. My baby was right in my arms. I looked down at Vira. But she wasn’t there. My arms tightened around myself automatically. Like I thought she would just be in there if I held on tighter.

“Varon,” I murmured, my voice breaking as reality came crashing down on me.

The next few hours passed like a whirlwind. I recovered entirely. I could feel that my body was back to what it had been. I was strong and swift ...