Sage and Gia were both fidgeting, huddled together under the trees. Their nervous energy indicated that they were ready to go and were only waiting for the word from Theo. They had been in this place long enough already, and despite the fact that it was apparently more alive and welcoming than it had been before, it was still Gray Vale. The trees were corpses. The air reeked of blood. It was not home, and home was calling them—drawing them back.
"Are you ready?" Theo asked gently, pulling on Cora's hand as she lingered after exchanging farewells with her brother and Grayson. Her wings were finally gone—tucked back into whatever mysterious place they had appeared from.
"Yes, I just…" she said, staring at the palace that had been her prison and now no longer required her presence.
