Page 118 of Where Darkness Falls

My starlight swirls around me like a vortex, readying for an assault that I’m more than willing to launch at the king. “You’re lying,” I seethe.

All it would take is a massive surge and he’d be dust.

I raise my arms, ready to finally end his miserable existence when the soft sound of a woman humming echoes around the courtyard—giving me pause.

A shimmering image emerges out of my peripherals. I turn my head toward whatever Tiernan manifests to attack me, but I find myself at a loss for words. My hands drop to my sides as Cara walks toward me, donning one of her favorite dresses. She is humming one of the songs from the ball. Her amber hair is thrown into a high ponytail, cascadingdown her back. She looks exactly as she did in my room the night before, but in the daylight, she seems almost reflective.

This has to be a trick.

I look at the king, and his amber eyes are no longer glowing.

It’s not a deception.

Cara’s spirit is here.

As the fight leaves my body, I slowly lower to the ground, my hand reaching out toward her.

“Cara?” I whisper.

Her lips part to reveal her brilliantly beautiful smile.

“You can bring us back, Maeva,” Cara’s spirit says.

My face feels hot as I run to her, but she vaporizes into nothing.

“No!” I gasp.

“There’s one of my favorite girls,” Rolph’s voice says from behind me.

I spin, looking to the opposite side of the courtyard, and there he is, arms outstretched toward me.

“Papa!” I yell, racing toward him, but he too vanishes before I arrive.

“You can save us, my Darling Flower,” Amelia’s voice calls from my left.

I only see a glimpse of her before she vanishes and is replaced by Aidan and Cillian.

“Bring us home,” they say in unison.

“I-I don’t know how,” I cry.

“Yes, you do,” Deidre says from behind me.

I turn to find her standing near the king.

“The Crógemma can bring us back,” she continues.

“I love you, Maeva,” Fion’s tiny voice calls from beside me.

I look down to see that beautiful little boy smiling up at me. I reach for him, but he’s gone in an instant, just like the others.

“We were supposed to play dress up, Maeva,” Aine cries.

I spin again, looking into the glossy eyes of a heartbroken little girl. She’s huddled in a corner, rocking her small body back and forth. I dropto my knees, crawling toward her. “I know,” I cry. “I’m so sorry, Aine. I-I didn’t know.”

She sniffles, and my heart shatters. “You can save us,” she cries as she vanishes.

“How?” I yell, looking around frantically at the courtyard. “Please tell me how.”