[Ford]
It was nearly May when Madison’s body began turning to dust. I came out to talk with her, like I did every morning, and saw her toes were flaking away. I wasn’t ready to lose her yet. A mournful howl raised in my throat and drew the attention of most of the compound.
The council of alphas, the Helvegr, and everyone from the Vasili’s old house rushed to the clearing. We stood silently as we watched the tips of her fingers, toes, tail, and wings starting to turn to ash and float or fall away. Aria hugged me tight. Serena hid her face against Rao’s chest.