I lay my hand against her heart, and she takes a deep breath as her eyes grow clearer. The hopeful—thankful—look Thayla gives me sends a stabbing pain through my chest.
This isn’t her healing.
This is the last burst of life before death takes you.
“Listen to her last prayer, Thayla.”
Understanding dawns on her, and her eyes shatter.
She bites the tremble out of her lip and nods frantically before glancing down.
“Tell me what you need,” she says as she gently, tenderly moves the hair from Mrs. Armend’s forehead.
“Tell Laney I love her. I love her so much. Raise…raise her to be strong, like you.”
Her breath rips another cough from her mouth, and Thayla fights the tears trying their hardest to fall.
“I will.”
“Also, t-tell Lambrit. I’m so proud of him. I always have been even when I didn’t say it or show it. I’m—” A painful gasp gurgles in the back of her throat, and I tighten my grip on her soul. “I’m so sorry for not being the mother to him that I should’ve been. Please continue to take care of him.”
“I will. He’s done so good and he’s come so far. He’s going to be the God of Scripture someday and he’s already the High Chancellor’s personal assistant. He’s…he’s also in love. He foundthe love of his life. Her name is Rose and she’s so beautiful, and sweet, and kind, and—”
Her words silence as a tender, but harsh laugh falls from Mrs. Armend.
“Thank you, Thayla.”
My power pours out of me, soft and slow, as it wraps completely around her soul. Unlike any other time I’ve done this, I lift her soul directly out of her body and guide it over to her husband’s.
They smile at one another as their souls grow brighter.
Then they look at me.
My eyes drift shut.
“Valories, welcome them home.”
I release them with my prayer and breathe as my power settles back into my chest.
For a second, I sit in the silence, allowing my mind and heart to wrap around the fact I no longer see balls of essence, but fully formed body-like souls.
It makes it so much harder, so much more real.
Then my eyes fly open with Thayla’s scream.
“No!”
She bashes her fists into the floorboard as tremors tear through her. Riven, Kyzen, and Amick instantly fall to her side and hold her.
“This is going to change her. Completely. She’ll never be the same, free-spirited, sweet, innocent little girl ever again!”
She continues to rock in their arms, raging out her grief.
“She won’t,” I say, and her red-rimmed eyes that refuse to let a tear fall snap up to mine. “But she won’t be alone. She won’t be abandoned. We’re going to find her and bring her home. With us in Godsden. To Lambrit.”
She stares at me, unmoving, unblinking, for a moment, long enough to worry me that she’s upset with me.
“Did…are they with the Valories? They had their issues like most people, most parents, but they were good people.”
