And then, just as suddenly, Mia fell limp into Elowyn's arms. The warmth, the heartbeat, the living presence-all vanished in an instant.

"No! What's going on?" Elowyn screamed, pressing herself against the still form, trying to bring her back, tears blinding her.

But it was too late.

The weight of absence pressed down, and in that moment, everything-the children, the ghosts, the gathered crowd, even the shimmer of light that had surrounded them-disappeared.

Darkness fell, absolute and ...