We can’t let ourselves be distracted. We’re so close to our goal.
If we can fix this, every other problem will be so much easier to solve after. If we don’t…
I’m not letting myself consider that possibility.
But my determination isn’t enough to hold the thousands now gathered around the city in line. Sour threads are opening all through the currents of loving emotion that were reaching me.
No. We were doing this together. We can keep doing it.
I need to welcome all ofthemtoo.
I speak as loud as I can, hoping Mirage will be able to fling my voice wide even from his far-off position. “You’re all such good people! Such caring, compassionate people. It’s amazing that you came here and took this risk because you want the world to be a better, safer, happier place. You should feel so proud of yourselves.”
The contrasting quivers start to fade.
I go on with a surge of renewed confidence. “We’re changing the future into something brighter. It wouldn’t be possible without all of you. You’re amazing. You took a chance on me. You took a chance on this city. I’ve never met anyone braver.”
A larger wave of satisfaction and contentment sweeps over and through me. I’ve never tasted a flavor so incredible.
This—this is what I’ve dreamed of. What I’ve wanted to offer, the total opposite of the pain I inadvertently caused before.
A gasp spills from my lips, and my glow erupts out of me again.
I manage to maintain enough control to stop it from becoming outright burning. It isn’t that hard anymore, not when my own heart is so full of joy.
The blaze of teal light spills through the entire city, caressing every sidewalk, every doorway and wall. The murk gives way in its wake, softening to accept it, twining with it as the darkness fades. The dissonant energy settles into serene stillness.
The exhilaration casts me higher and higher alongside the expanding glow, until I can taste the rift on the roof of my mouth. Sharp ripples of rejection smooth out. Tangs of resentment dwindle.
You can stay. You can be here with us. Meet us where we can all be happy. I’ll show you the way.
The last splinters of animosity vanish one by one. Everything is warmth and light, comfort and happiness. On and on…
Until the sense of peace fills me enough that I let my arms drop to my sides. I blink and peer at the city before me.
A faint haze still hangs over the buildings, but it drifts and dances with the telephone poles rather than suffocating the atmosphere. Most of the unnatural shadows have either absorbed into the regular ones or returned through the rift.
I squint up at the sky and can only make out a faint dark spot against the brilliant blue. A relieved laugh tumbles out of me.
“We did it,” I say. “We really did it!”
Falkor gives a joyful woof and wriggles his serpentine body. All around me, the humans and the shadowkind among them start chattering with excitement and awe. Their emotions radiate even more delight than I felt before.
And maybe this is what we’ve really healed today. Not just the rift but the reluctance to trust one another, to embrace the other kind of being with total openness.
At the thud of footsteps, I turn around. Rollick is ambling over with Sorsha and the shadowbloods at his heels. Zian wipes his hands together with a satisfied expression.
“A bunch of hunters thought they’d try to join in the party,” Riva informs me as they draw to a stop. “We took care of them before they could get in the way. Gently, of course.”
She glances up at the brightened city. “Hopefully once they see this, they won’t be in such a hurry to come at you again.”
My smile slants. “I’m sure it’ll be a work in progress. Not everyone is going to open up right away.”
Rollick shakes his head at me. “Enough did. Remind me never to underestimate you again, Peri. You accomplished something not even I could have figured out how to do, with all my centuries.”
Sorsha elbows him. “Yeah, yeah, old-timer. Ancient wisdom isn’t all that matters.” She waves to the crowd. “Who’s ready to celebrate?”
At the whoops that carry through the gathering, my grin returns. “It’s time for a re-opening party, and everyone’s invited!”
