Martin’s eyes remained hard and I saw his finger tighten on the trigger.

I don’t want to die, Val’s voice trembled and below us both I felt Her stirring. I turned my face away.

“I never wanted any of this,” I said, my throat thick. “I was just a little girl who was stolen in the night.” I clamped my teeth on the rest.

“It’s not fair,” Kseniya murmured and I looked up at her. Her eyes held a mixture of sorrow and knowledge, as if she now recognized my touch on her thoughts. But she reached behind her to block Martin’s shot. He growled but lowered the gun. “Place us in the void again, I think it is time we find the truth.”

“What?” Martin growled, “No, she’s too dangerous.”

“She was human once, she deserves this much.” Kseniya looked out the window into the winterscape. “We have time enough.”

The mask of his features cracked and I saw again his love for her. Then the void descended upon me, heavy and warm. I wanted to stay forever.

In the silence I felt Her scream past us and out of my mouth.