Morning light streams through the window as I run a brush through my hair. The soft knock at my door comes just as I place the brush down. My mother's face appears in the doorway, her voice quiet, "They’ve arrived."

I glance from her to the glowing window, golden rays almost taunting me as they spill across the room. This is the day. The day I leave Silvyr Hallowen behind—its people, its memories, everything that’s ever been familiar to me. My chest tightens. No amount of ...