Barely louder than a whisper, she heard Takoda’s voice echo in her psyche as he called to her through the ether. “Ophelia? If you can hear me, I need you.”

Her heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach and she felt tears welling in her eyes at how strained and fragile his voice sounded. She called back to him, asking where he was.

“I am in my home. On the side of the mountain that faces your cabin. You found my garden so I have no doubts you’ll-” His ...