Leona and her Goonie sged through the house quickly, grabbing bs and first aid supplies just in case. Goonie swept through the house, snatg up a fshlight as well as anything else that looked like it might be useful for their outing. She rummaged through the bathroom for anything that might double as emergency medical gear. When Leourned with an armful of bandages, Goonie was already stuffing her oversized pack with spare batteries, a fire extinguisher, and even an old, slightly dehermos.

  Her aunt’s zeal was tagious but it in to see they were going overboard for a trip withiy. “Mom, we’re not prepping for the apocalypse,” Leona teased, ughing as Goonie crammed another fshlight into an already-bulging pocket.

  “You never know what you’ll need,” Gooorted, her voice determihough her lips twitched into a sly grin. She slung the heavy pato her back with an impressive dispy of strength, earning a gape and a chuckle from Leona.

  Quinn peeked from her bedroom door, leaning casually against the frame with her trademark mischievous smirk. “You two look like you’re about to join an aovie,” she quipped, her tone ced with mock admiration. “Good luck!” she added with a pyful wave as the front door closed behind them.

  Before long, they were in Goonie’s car, winding through San Isidro’s dimly lit streets toort Howard, one of the city’s rger ports. The air ihe car was a mix of quiet anticipation and nostalgia.

  “There’s a pce out he port where we won’t be bothered,” Goonie said, a wistful smile tugging at her mouth. “Used to be a makeout spot ba my day.”

  Leona blinked, uo suppress a snort of disbelief. “Wait, you made out here?” she teased, her grin wide. “Was it with someone special? Or are you just saying that to sound cool?”

  Goonie shot her a pointed look, but the faint blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. “Not saying another word,” she replied, though the grin on her face lingered. “Besides, this isn’t about me—it’s about you.”

  Leona chuckled, leaning ba her seat. The thought crossed her mind about how Quinn had mentioned a rave being anized out here st year. She wondered idly if they were headed to the same spot.

  After over half an hour of driving, they arrived at a dipidated, weed-riddehat stretched out like a fotten wastend. Goonie parked a little way off and led Leona to the ed gate. With practiced ease, she slipped through and helped Leona pass the supplies over the fence before joining her oher side.

  “This pce could use a up crew,” Leona muttered, brushing cobwebs off her sleeve as they moved further in.

  “It’s not about aesthetics,” Goonie replied, rummaging through her pack. She pulled out two fshlights and handed oo Leona, who took it with a grin.

  “I mean, I don’t really his,” Leona admitted, twirling the fshlight in her hand. “But better safe than sorry if my powers decide to take a nap.”

  “Exactly,” Goonie replied, her tone practical as she led the way toward a stacked cluster of rusted shipping tainers. “This’ll do. you transform now?”

  Leona nodded. “Yeah, it’s just about willing it… but this is the first time I’m doing it in pitch darkness, so, uh, don’t stare directly at me, Mom. You might regret it.”

  Goonie immediately averted her eyes, her hands shielding her face food measure. Leona chuckled softly before fog oransformation. A brilliant fsh of light lit up the tainers and the field around them, momentarily chasing the shadows away. When it faded, Leona stood resple in her heroi, her e shimmering faintly, her wings casting a golden glow.

  “They really glow!” Goonie excimed, l her hands to take in her daughter’s appearance. Her face lit with awe as she stepped closer, tightly hugging Leona. “You’re beautiful at night, honey,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

  Leona beamed, basking in both the pliment and the unfamiliar sensation of motes of light risily from her wings. “I feel beautiful, Mom!” she said, her voice carrying Aurora’s celestial resonance. She twirled, her wings trailing glowing embers like zy fireflies. “I think I noticed these lights that first night, but not like this. It’s… magical.”

  “It really is,” Goonie murmured, reag out to toue of Leona’s wings. The warmth surprised her, and she ran her fingers over the soft feathers, marveling at their texture. “They’re so warm… and soft,” she said, her tone almost reverent. “You’d better be careful not to ihem.”

  “That’s the pn,” Leona replied with a grin. “I form a protective field, like a sed skin, when I o. It’s automatic, but I’m still learning to trol it. When I first used it, it covered me like a big capsule. Now, I make it g to me more tightly. It’s scary when someone shoots at you, but at least I have this to fall ba.”

  Goonie’s smile turned serious, her eyes searg her daughter’s face. “It’s a good thing you have that field… and your wings. But what else you do?”

  “I augment my strength a bit. Or maybe I e gravity or weight itself, which I guess is the same thing.” Leona nodded. “Anyhow, when my power surrounds an object, withiain limitations, I lift it. I seem to be able to punch people pretty well too. Plus, I bst things.”

  Goonie arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. “Well,” she said, casting her eyes around thoughtfully. Her gaze settled oack of rusted shipping tainers nearby, and a smile crept across her face. “You practi these. Let’s start by having you lift one a your trol of that aura of yours. If you run out of energy, we’ll better know your limitations.” She stepped back, giving Leona room to work.

  Leona tilted her head, examining the top-most crate of the stack. With a firm nod, she fpped her glowing wings and floated upward. Toug the tainer, she focused, feeling her aura spread around it like an invisible he membrane couldn’t pletely engulf the objely about a third of its surface was covered.

  Grunting, she tried to lift the tainer all at once, but it stubbornly refused to budge. She adjusted her approach, experimenting with spreading the field thicker over a smaller area or thinning it out to maximize ce. At its thi, the aura covered nearly half the tainer. With extreme effort, she mao lift one end off the stack for a fleeting moment, but it ged back down when her power hit its limit.

  Leona sighed in frustration, dropping to the ground troup. Gooepped forward, her expression warm and uanding. She pced a f hand on Leona’s shoulder. “That’s okay, sweetheart. Now we know you’re not a super-strength type hero. Try something smaller—work your . There are plenty of objects here to experiment with, but don’t overdo it. I don’t want you hurting yourself.”

  Enced, Leona rushed over to a nearby oil drum. She pced her hand on it, letting her aura envelop the object. This time, the power flowed easily, surrounding the drum pletely. With a delighted giggle, she lifted it effortlessly and spun around, holding it high like a trophy. She repeated the process with another drum, ughing as she tossed it lightly into the air and caught it.

  Gooched, g her hands in amusement as Leona juggled two barrels clumsily, nearly dropping one. “Careful! Don’t whomp me with one!” Goonie called out, half-ughing, half-serious.

  “Alright,” Goonie said after Leohe barrels down, “let’s test your strength now. You said your punches were effective, right? Try hitting these and see what kind of damage you do. Start with the shipping tainers.”

  Leoated, eyeing the steel crate warily. “This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” she muttered under her breath. Taking a deep breath, she stepped closer and drew her arm back. With all her might, she smmed her fist into the tainer.

  The sound of the impact echoed sharply in the air, but the tainer remained pletely unscathed. Leona, however, winced in pain, cradlihrobbing hand. “Ow,” she muttered, gring at the offending steel.

  Goonie rushed forward but stopped when Leona waved her off. “I’m fine, Mom. I just o rethink my approach.” She surrounded her fists with her aura, the translut energy shimmering faintly in the dim light. Brag herself, she struck the tainer again, this time repeatedly. The pain didn’t register through the protective field, but the impacts still seemed futile.

  After a few moments, Gooepped closer, refusing to be shooed away this time. She examined Leona’s hands carefully before iing the taiself. Her face lit up with a surprised smile. “You’re not pung through steel, but… look here. You’ve made dents!”

  Leona blinked, her jaw dropping as she leaned in to ihe crate. Sure enough, her repeated blows had left faint but noticeable impressions on the surface. “Well, it’s something,” she said with a sheepish grin. “Guess I’m not breaking walls down anytime soon, though.”

  Goonie shrugged, her smile unwavering. “Not everyone’s built like that. You’ve got other strengths. Speaking of which, let’s see how your bsts work. Step back, Mom—I’m going to try something bigger.”

  Nodding her head, Goonie scurried a safe distance away, her eyes filled with both pride and . “Be careful!” she called over her shoulder.

  Leona nodded, coating herself in a protective barrier. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the tainer in front of her. She extended her hand, the air around it crag faintly with energy. Shrapnel was a real possibility, and she wasn’t about to take ces. Steeling herself, she took aim and prepared to unleash her power.

  Reag her hand toward one of the tainers, Leona willed her energy to coalesce, charging a beam that nced outward. The initial strike was weak, barely more than a flicker against the steel, but she adjusted, cutting off the first attempt and ramping up the power. Each secutive bst came with greater force, hammering the tainer repeatedly.

  Her strikes grew progressively stronger until one finally pierced through the side of the taihe energy wasn’t searing or molten but purely cussive, delivering raw force with each impact. The resulting damage left the tainer dented, punctured, and rattling from within.

  Leona began experimenting, fog on accuracy as she targeted specific points and adjusted the iy of her attacks. The more she practiced, the more her fidence grew. The sheer joy of destroying old, unused shipping tainers was undeniable, and she let herself enjoy the moment.

  Eventually, Goonie called out from a distarigger happy, much? If you want to practice your aim more, I’ll set up some targets for you. But take a breather first!”

  Leona stopped bsting and nodded, nding lightly as Goonie walked off to set up some makeshift targets. While catg her breath, Leona goward their car, an impish thought crossing her mind. “Mom,” she called, “ I try lifting the car? It’s smaller than the shipping tainers. It’ll be a good benchmark.”

  Goourned, visibly hesitant, but finally nodded. “Fine. But if you damage it, you’re w extra shifts at the café to cover it. Got it?”

  Leona grinned, saluting her mother pyfully. “Got it!”

  Leona flew over the fend Goonie slipped carefully through the gate. Approag the car, Leona pced a haly on its roof. She didn’t attempt to lift it immediately, instead fog on spreading her aura around the vehicle. She carefully gauged how much ce she could manage and how dehe aura felt. Full ce ossible, but the field was thin—just enough to feel precarious.

  Taking a steadying breath, she tightened her core a her knees, brag herself. With a determined grunt, she began to lift. The car groaned as it rose slightly off the ground. Sweat beaded on Leona’s forehead, but she whooped in triumph. “I’m doing it!”

  Carefully, she set the car back down, her face flushed but triumphant. “That gives me a good idea of my limits. I lift it, but flying with it? That’s aory. N that with your car, Mom!” She giggled, her breath still ing in shasps.

  “Smart choice,” Goonie said, walking over and pulling Leona into an awkward hug, mindful of her wings. “Good job, though. You’re learning so much so quickly.”

  Leona grinned, an impish idea sparking to life. Without warning, she extended her aura to surround them both, scooped Gooo her arms, and unched into the air.

  Goonie shrieked as her feet left the ground, clutg Leona tightly. “What are you doing?!”

  “Testing how long I carry someone! How about a nice flight over the bay?” Leona ughed, exhirated.

  For her part, carrying Goonie was easy—her mother’s weight felt negligible to Leona’s enharength, or rather thanks to her aura’s effect. Light as her Goonie was, the extra mass altered her flight dynamics, f her to adjust her maneuvering. She practiced pensating for the imbance, gliding in wide arcs before trying tighter turns and pyful loops.

  However, as Leona flew, she began to notice her mother’s panicked grip and the tension irembling frame. While Leona was filled with joy and woonie was clearly overwhelmed.

  Realizing this, Leona stopped her more advanced maneuvers, leveling out and slowing her flight. She made a mental hat flying evasively with a passenger could be a challenge in high-pressure situations.

  “I’m sorry I scared you, Mom,” Leona said softly as she gently desded towards the dock. “Are you okay?”

  Goonie iffly, her eyes squeezed shut. “Y-yes,” she stuttered, her voice shaky. “Just… don’t talk. trate on nding, got it?”

  Leona smiled apologetically, keeping her dest slow and steady. Ohey were safely ba solid ground, she released her mother, who stumbled slightly but recovered quickly.

  “ime,” Goonie said, still catg her breath, “warn me before you try something like that.”

  Leona nodded, guilt and amusement mingling on her face. “Got it, Mom. No surprise flights ime.”

  “I promise I won’t drop you, Mom.” Leona giggled and fpped a bit higher so she could show her the skylines of both of the two cities. Her wings hummed rhythmically in the cool night air, and the sensation of freedom filled her. She held Goonie close, mindful of her grip to keep her mother secure without feeling stricted.

  “Just don’t get to now, honey,” Goonie managed, her voice trembling slightly as she g to her daughter. Her face, initially pale with apprehension, began to rex as Leona’s steady movements proved her stability. “I’d like to survive the night to tell everyone what a fine flier you’ve bee.”

  They found themselves in a good pce for such sightseeing. The faint glow of the city across the bay and lights from San Isidro reflected off the water below, and the hum of distant traffigled with the whisper of the salt-den sea breeze. Leona’s heart swelled with pride and joy as she gazed at the sprawling cityscape. She was determio show Goonie something of the wonder she was filled with. “Open your eyes and look. It’s beautiful, Mom,” Leona said gently, huggiightly to reassure her. “Trust me, you’re as light as a feather.”

  Goonie’s eyes fluttered open, her grip on Leona loosening slightly as she dared to gnce around. The transformation in her expression was immediate. “Oh my goodness!” she gasped, her voice tinged with awe. Her gaze darted betweewo cities, marveling at the sight of the two from above on a warm night.

  Seaside City shone like a distant colle of jewels, refleg on the bay. Its vibrant lights seemed to dan the water, casting shimmering trails that moved with the gentle waves. San Isidro, though quieter and dimmer, held its own uated elegahe warm hues of its lights gave the city a serene and stately charm. “Spectacur!” Goonie ughed now that they weren’t moving. “Thank you, honey. It’s a million-dolr view.” She hugged Leona a little tighter, her earlier fear giving way to genuine delight.

  Leona smiled warmly and glided slowly on the night breezes. Her wings adjusted subtly to keep them aloft, and she felt a sense of fulfillment as Goonie’s ughter repced her initial unease. “I’m gd I could share this with you, Mom.” Leona’s smile was happy, her radiant expression seeming to mirror the light of the cities below.

  They carefully circled downwards towards the shipping tainers where they’d stood before. Leona’s nding was as graceful as her flight, her feet toug down lightly as she set Goonie on solid ground.

  “I think I’m really happy,” Leona said softly, her voice filled with an almost childlike wonder. “Although I don’t know if these powers will always bring me happiness, I’ll take these moments when they e… and treasure them.” A tented sigh escaped from her lips, her wings foldily behind her.

  “I ’t think of anirl so deserving,” Goonie said, beaming at Leona. Her voice was steady now, her earlier nerves pletely repced by pride. “Do you want to test out anything else?” she asked, though her legs wobbled slightly as she steadied herself.

  Leona giggled as she caught her mom by the arm, support. “No, there’s nothi except for my force field to test. I don’t knoe could test it though. When they were firing a bunch of guns at me during the blimp heist, nothing got through. With the first type of capsule shield, they were stopped dead, and with the sed, bullets were boung off as though the shield had a rubber-like quality.”

  “I could throw things at you, I guess,” Goonie suggested, her tone half-joking.

  Leona tilted her head, sidering the idea. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I got a better idea… we’ve got a det body of water right here… so let’s see…” She walked to the edge of the pier, the moonlight refleg off the gentle waves, and trated on her field. Her aura shimmered faintly as it surrounded her, creating an almost imperceptible barrier. With a deep breath, she stepped off the edge to float over the water.

  She experimentally dipped her toe into the cool water with caution and noticed that the forcefield rejected the entrance of water. Aurora tilted her head and smiled, her curiosity piqued. Slowly, she sank more and more of herself beh the waterline. Even when she was neck-deep, she was certain she was quite dry.

  Taking the plunge, Leona submerged herself pletely. The sensation was surreal. She was surrounded by water yet untouched by it, the forcefield ag as an imperable shield. Almost immediately, she noticed the air was getting thin. While she could breathe well enough at first, she realized it wouldn’t st.

  Propelling herself back up, her head broke the surface as she gasped for fresh air. She adjusted her field, opening it at the top and widening the gap around her body to bee the capsule-type variety.

  After a moment of fiuning, she dipped baderwater. This time, it erfect. She felt a fortable warmth within the field, a stark trast to the chill of the o that she previously felt. She tested her movements, swimming through the water with ease, and noted how the field adapted to her motions seamlessly.

  “Mom, this is incredible!” Leona called out, her voice muffled but audible as she surfaced briefly to share her excitement.

  Her smile was iious, her enthusiasm making Goonie ugh and shake her head. “I’m pretty sure you’re the only person who could make swimming like that look so effortless,” Gooeased, folding her arms as she watched.

  Leona’s eyes sparkled with joy as she tio experiment. For her, the night had bee a series of discoveries, eaore thrilling tha.

  She pyed and experimented some more, ‘flying’ through the water. Her wings gleamed like liquid fire, refrag through the waves as she propelled herself forward effortlessly. She could take a supply of air with her, but did that mean it was fihe question g her, and she decided to find out.

  Leona trated on holding a pocket of air within the forcefield, noting the size of the bubble and how her breaths depleted it. “Alright, sce time,” she muttered, amused by her owermination to test every angle.

  She tested to see how much she had to take with her in reserve to be effective. Every now and then, her wings fred brighter, marking her locatioh the surface. It was like an otherworldly bea cutting through the murk. Though the brightness of her wings vely marked her location, she surfaced periodically to reassure Goohat she was safe and alright.

  “Still alive!” she chirped after popping her head above water oime. Goonie waved from the dock, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

  Iingly, she never actually swam at all. Her powers or the capsule propelled her forward uer, so flight wasn’t quite accurate either. It was more like the cssic superhero flying for the types without wings. She zoomed past fish that darted out of her way and even looped around a curious crab scuttling along the o floor.

  When done, she breached the surfad unched into the air again, water casg off the field in sparkling sheets. For a brief, magical moment, she looked like a glowing dolphin breag the surface of the bay. She whooped with ughter, the sound ringing out across the water, befliding smoothly back to the dock.

  Laughing joyfully, she nded beside her Auntie, her hair slightly mussed from the wind. “Wow, that was so fun! I didn’t get cold or wet at all.”

  Goonie rubbed Leona’s back, her grin widening. “Well, I think we’ve exhausted the possibilities for now. At any rate, if we keep this up, we might get spotted, particurly given hhtly you shine. So let’s go.” She gave a nod toward the car and turo lead the way back.

  Leona fell into step beside her easily, her excitement bubbling over as she grabbed Goonie’s hand. “Whe to the gate, o take turns squeezing through this time. I’ll float us over. You’ve seen magical movies where people held hands and floated together, right? I did that with an officer earlier, so don’t panic.” She winked mischievously at Goonie.

  When they he obstacle, Leona fpped her wings oo extend her aura around them both. The moment their feet left the ground, Goonie barked a ugh, caught between nervousness and amusement.

  “Seriously, you couldn’t have warned me a sed loonie groused as they danced in midair.

  “Would you have said no?” Leona teased, her grin impish.

  “Point taken,” Gootered, though her face sched slightly at being airborne again.

  They floated dowly, their nding so smooth that they were already walking before their feet fully touched the ground.

  “Nice job, girl. Which of the San Isidro prects are you going to tomorrow?” Goonie asked as she moved to the car, her tone shifting to casual curiosity.

  Leo her transformation dissipate, her wings folding away as she slid into the passenger seat. “Oh gosh, the targets you set up! We totally fot them, Mom.” Her hao her forehead, her ugh dry and sheepish.

  “It’s fine. I think you have that ability down pat.” Gooarted the car after tossing the backpato the back seat. She reversed smoothly and headed for the frontage road, the night alive with the hum of tires on asphalt. “You didn’t answer—are you going to speak with the SIPD tomorrow?”

  “It seems only right,” Leona replied after a thoughtful pause. Her gaze flicked to the window, her expression pensive. “I’m also thinking I might sneak a peek at Sarah to reassure myself too ter on.”

  Her voice trailed off as if she’d realized what she’d just admitted. Crud, Quinn told me not to mention it.

  Goonie sighed, the sound exasperated but tinged with affe. “You have to be careful, dear. Someone might take it the wrong way if you’re not clear about your iions,” she warned, shooting Leona a sidelong gnce. “But maybe we decide on a way to do it that won’t offend anyone.” Her hand reached over to pyfully tousle Leona’s hair, earning a quiet ugh.

  “I had hoped you’d be able to help, Mom.” Leona’s smile softened, her earlier nerves dissipating. “I said the same thing to Quinn. She doesn’t think about things a superhero shouldn’t do… and what they should really worry about, like reputation and stuff. I know it’s iable that some people won’t like me… like that grumpy detective over in Seaside, but I don’t want to actually bring that on myself purposely.”

  “That’s because you’re a good girl,” Goonie replied warmly, relief evident ione. “Do you feel any weaker after all that? I know you were worried about being less powerful at night.” She gnced over at Leona again, her brow furrowed slightly with .

  Leona frowned in thought, her lips pursed. “That’s true, but how about this—you drive home, and I’ll fly overhead. Not too close, but enough to where I pull in if I need help. I’ll call you on my phone if I feel like I’m in trouble.”

  Goonie nodded, pulling over without hesitation. When Leona stepped out, she transformed in a burst of golden light, her wings spreading wide as she rose gracefully into the night sky. Watg her Mom pull off, she hovered for a moment, feeling the cool air rush past her face.

  Testing her limits, she soared higher before desding ile spirals to match the car’s pace. She felt no weaker. In fact, she felt exhirated. Perf a series of slow rolls and loops, she let out a ugh, the stars above and the road below blurring together in her joy.

  When they got home, Leona headed to the familiar copse and reversed her transformation. The warmth and glow of her aura faded, leaving her in her normal form as she stretched, feeling the residual hum of energy in her limbs. With a practiced leap, she vaulted onto the wall, nding softly as she banced. She then strolled along the top of the fence, keeping bance as she reached the front yard and hopped off gently to stroll to the front of the do and perched herself on the doorstep to wait.

  Moments ter, Goonie parked in the driveway, the car’s engine humming softly as it powered down. She hefted the supply pack out of the trunk and carried it to the mairance, meeting Leona just as she rose to her feet.

  “Well, how did it feel?” Goonie asked, setting the pack down beside the door.

  “It felt fine, actually,” Leona said thoughtfully, her expressihtening as she spoke. “I feel more rexed. It’s true that I have an affinity for the sun, but maybe it’s not the only soury power. I feel something right now.” She gestured at the almost full moon above with a smile. “Maybe I take in light from the stars above, or maybe some other particle too.” She shrugged, a pyful grin tugging at her lips. “Anyway, thanks for takionight, Mom.”

  Befoonie could respond, Leona stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

  “I think I have a better idea of what I do now, thanks,” she murmured.

  Goonie smiled and patted her back warmly. “That’s what tonight was about. Okay, get some sleep. I’ll bring you to the station early tomorrow if you’d like. Or, to a private pce where you transform if you’d rather.”

  Leona’s heart swelled at her mother’s unwavering support. She pulled back, her eyes glimmering with gratitude. “A private pce would be best. I don’t want anyone seeing you aing a clue about who I might be.”

  Goonie nodded, her gaze steady as she absorbed Leona’s reasoning.

  “They might even take me less seriously if they knew I was a kid,” Leona tinued, her tone growing more serious. “Plus, the ic books show what happens when you aren’t serious about proteg your identity, particurly the darker ics. I don’t want my family to ever be at risk just because I’ve decided to be a superhero.”

  Goonie chuckled softly, her smile widening. “Ah, I didn’t think of that. Good idea. Sounds like you’re well on your way to being a real superhero; you have such a level head.”

  Leona flushed slightly at the pliment, but her grin didn’t fade. “The future always be found in fi. I suppose that’s why they say there is truth in fi,” she mused, her voice taking on a philosophical tone. “A person’s imagination is oftentimes able to foresee what something will be like without having to experie firsthand. That’s why I don’t think ics are just frivolous silliness. They’re just like any other stories. The wisdom is always there for the reader to pull out for themselves. I know that’s just a theory and I ’t go into much more detail, but anything is possible, really. That is, if you think more about ‘how’ instead of ‘what’ or ‘when.’”

  Goonie rolled her eyes, her fond exasperation obvious. “All right, Pto. Scoot! You have a big day tomorrow, and I want you to get a good night’s sleep.”

  Leona ughed and rushed ahead upstairs, dodging the predictable swat aimed at her backside. She gnced around as she passed the living room—Quinn was o be seen, likely already asleep.

  Wheered her room, her steps faltered, and her breath caught ihroat.

  Bgel herself was sitting on her bed, one leg crossed over the other, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. The sly smile on her face sent a chill rag down Leona’s spine.

  “Miss me?” the entity purred, waving glibly as though her presence were the most natural thing in the world.

  Leona blinked, and she was gone.

  The room was eerily still, the bedsheets undisturbed, the air heavy with an unshakable tension. It was as though Bgel had never actually been there. Yet, the memory of that mog gaze burned in Leona’s mind, her heart pounding furiously.

  Sinking to her knees, Leona pressed her hands against the floor, taking deep, measured breaths. Her chest rose and fell in a desperate attempt to steady herself.

  What did seeing her mean? Was she losing trol? Would she have to fear that the dark being might take over someday?

  Bgel wao be reborn as her—wao repce her, or worse, use her for some unknown purpose. The weight of that realization pressed down on Leona, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic spiral.

  Closing her eyes tightly, she whispered a silent prayer. She could only hope that Bgel’s good side—if it still existed—might help her. It was a fragile hope, but for now, it was all she had.

  Regardless, it looked like sleep wasn’t going to e as easily tonight as she’d thought.