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"You want to kill yourself? Why?" I should start a support group. Nearly every paranormal I've met has serious mental health issues. And for the first time I wonder if there is any kind of mental health services in this world, but I realize this is really not the time and my mind is dissociating from what is happening because I am utterly freaked out.

Eve, note to self, think about all this other shit later. A dragon just asked you to kill her.

"Why?" I ask. It's all I can think to say.

"For too long, we have flown over this world, dictating its rules, running the lives of those in our care, hoarding our own wealth and power. And now our world is crumbling. We are overpopulated and not large enough to manage the growing magical community. Someone has to step forward, and I now have an heir to carry on my element. Only I can do this."

"I don't understand," I say.

"With your powers and my sacrifice, this world will expand, and self-renew, growing as it needs in order to accommodate all of us, present and future. It's this, or so many of us die or live in slums. I can't be the one to condemn my people to that fate." She reaches for my hands and holds them, and I feel her emotions. She is desperate for me to say yes and is very much at peace with her decision. It is the only way to save the people. To save this world.

"Will you help me, Eve?"

My throat is too choked up to speak, so I just nod, glancing over at the baby dragon. She'll never know her mother.

Ava'Kara sees me looking at the baby and sighs. "It is hard to leave her, but she will be raised by someone I trust more than anyone."

The water dragon's face lights up as she glances over my shoulder and I turn around and see Lyx, the Light Dragon walking towards us, arms open. "Sister."

The two dragon queens hug.

"Take care of her for me," Ava'Kara says to Lyx.

Lyx kisses Kara's cheek. "Like she is my own."

Further back, all of the Light Dragon's people standen masse, waiting quietly.

What are they waiting for? I have no idea what will happen.

"Is it safe for them to be here?" I ask.

Ava'Kara nods. "You will expend so much power to me, there will be none left to go anywhere else."

She glances at her sister, who gives her a look. Kara sighs. "There's something I need to tell you," she says.

"Okay… "

Lyx nudges Kara who sighs again. "Performing this ceremony might drain you."

I shrug. "I'll plan on getting extra rest until it all comes back."

Ava'Kara frowns. "Permanently. It might drain you permanently. You might lose all your powers. I don't know. I…we…thought you should know the risks before you agree."

I won't lie. This gives me pause. I could end up stripped of powers I just got? Powers I still don't know the full potential of. Am I willing to give all this up?

I know the answer the moment I think the question. Of course, I am. How could I not be? I may not be all light, but I have to live by a code of some kind. And I can't hoard power if it means so many others suffer.

I nod and the water dragon lets out a breath, then smiles. "You are braver and more generous than I expected, Eve Oliver."

The baby dragon turns back into a child, and Ava'Kara holds her daughter, kissing her head, then passes her to Lyx while she shifts back into her dragon form and positions herself in front of the wall of Dragon's Breath.

"It's very simple," she says. "Channel all the elements and pour them through your hands and into me while chantingterry autumn usque ad terram.Of earth, to earth."

I repeat the words in my head then nod and close my eyes. My power is there. It has returned in full form, and I have a feeling I will need every drop.

Hands held out, facing the water dragon, I begin to chant the words and funnel all of my power at the same time through my palms.

The wind whips around us.