And as they slipped away, she felt herself slip with them.
Just when she felt the wall in her mind about to finally crumble, an image flashed through it.
She knew it wasn’t a memory because she didn’t recognize this place. It looked like a field of wildflowers on Nightbane. It must have been one of the only stretches of land that hadn’t been destroyed by the storms or the battle.
The image was so shocking that the pain and despair all but vanished, for just a moment.
Only when she saw the edge of a massive paw did she know what this was.
Lynx. Somehow...he was sending this image to her. Just like he had before, when she had touched his furs.
Her bonded. Their connection had survived even this distance. Even Cronan’s power. Even her own snapping of the bridges around her soul. Just that fact alone was enough to strengthen her resolve.
But then...she saw them both.
Grim with Wraith. Her heart burned for her little family. Her chosen home. Just the sight of them made her spirit soar like she was flying with them.
Lastly, a figure moved into Lynx’s vision. He turned, and there he was. Oro. She felt tears cascading from the corners of her eyes. It was almost like he was staring directly at her as he said, “We’re coming for you, Isla. You are not alone, and we are coming. Hang on.”
He must have figured out that Lynx was connected to her. He knew she could see them.
Grim portaled next to Oro in a moment. He looked at her, and said, “You are infinite, heart. Never forget.”
And seeing them, side by side, fighting their way to her...she felt the resolve within her double. Triple. Until she was endless.
The silver-haired woman’s words danced in her head.You have only gotten stronger. And that strength...it has no limit. Youhave no limit.
It made the shield around her mind not only harden but surge. For the first time, she felt stronger than Cronan. She felt like she could break free.
And that’s exactly what Isla did.
She gasped as the vise around her body and mind were suddenly ripped away. She...could move. She flexed her tiniest finger. It was the smallest motion.
But it was enough. Because it was proof that even the strongest shackles could be broken.
Cronan was standing above her...snarling. He looked down at her, and Isla wondered if he would simply kill her. It looked like he might.
But then his shadows came crashing back down, and—
Picture a pool.
Her heart became silver water, rippling and endless. She let it fill her up, shielding her mind from Cronan’s attack. The pain faded away. Everything faded away.
Until her vision was replaced with the image of a leaf-swept grove with a pool in the center, its surface shining like melted metal in the moonlight. A silver-haired woman stood next to it, her aura casting a soft glow in the darkness.
“Who are you?” Isla asked. By now, she had realized every interaction with her had solely been in her head.
The woman simply motioned toward the pool, as if in answer. Isla took a step forward. And in the silver water’s reflection, in a matter of moments, she saw...everything. An impossible existence.
When it ended, she stumbled back, blinking, then turned to the woman in awe.
“All of this,” the woman said, “has led to you.”
Isla swallowed. It was all she had heard, ever since she was a child. She had always been different—either a curse or the only cure.
She wished she was neither.
“I don’t want this,” Isla said, because she knew now that this woman would understand.
