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We slip out of the tower and into the snowy landscape. Behind us, the colony walls loom silent and dark. Already I can hear shouting in the distance – the evidence is spreading, causing exactly the chaos I’d hoped for. Walter and his conspirators won’t be able to contain this.

Ahead of us, Melvall and Zoran bicker about the best route to the river. They wave at us as they leave to go their separate ways.

“I’ll stay and observe the humans’ response,” Tanis offers, appearing suddenly by my side. I yelp at the unexpected presence, which only causes Tanis to shrink in on himself, looking contrite.

“Someone should monitor how your council reacts to this revelation,” he tells me in a gentle tone, as if he’s expecting me to flee from him.

I open and close my mouth, gaping. How did he just show up like that? I never saw him coming at all. One moment there’s empty ground beside me, and the next he’s standing there taller than life.

Volan clasps Tanis’ shoulder, sending me a teasing smirk before turning to his friend. “Be careful. Send word through Melvall or return home whenever you have word.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, grateful that I have another person that I can rely on and trust.

“Now that the secret is out, Earth’s military will come,” I warn Volan as we make our way back toward the forest. “The medicine is beyond valuable. They will not give it up easily.”

“Let them come,” Volan replies, his voice steel and silk. His luminae pulse with determination. “We’ll be ready.”

I slip my hand into his, our fingers intertwining. My heart thrills at how he considers this our fight—me and him working side by side as equals.

“I spent so long thinking I had to do everything alone. Like I was rushing off on some epic quest to save the world. But that’s not what being a hero means, is it?”

“No,” Volan says. “It means having the courage to trust others. To let them stand beside you.” His luminae flare brightly, and he looks down at me, his gaze warm. “To let them love you.”

Snow continues to fall around us as we walk away from my old home and toward whatever future awaits. I don’t know exactly what’s coming – war, change, chaos probably. But for the first time in my life, I’m not afraid.

I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

THE END