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But nothing compares to holding the woman I love in my arms and knowing that somewhere beyond the reach of my power, she is screaming for me to save her.

“Calla.”

I brush my thumb across her cheek.

Her skin is warm.

Her heart beats steadily.

Her lips are parted in peaceful sleep.

She looks perfectly content.

Which makes me want to tear the universe apart.

“Darling, I need you to wake up.”

Nothing.

I press my forehead against hers.

“Come on, little mortal.”

Her breathing remains slow and even.

I close my eyes and reach for her dreams.

I search for a shimmer of silver light.

A thread connecting my consciousness to hers.

Instead, I find a wall.

Black.

Cold.

Impenetrable.

I strike it with everything I possess.

The apartment windows rattle.

A crack races across the ceiling.

The wall does not move.

“Father!”

My roar shakes the building.

Somewhere downstairs, a car alarm begins wailing.

I barely hear it.

I gather Calla closer and reach again.

This time, I feel something.