Chapter 794: The End of Ethpeal Hayle

Exit stage left. Enter the triumphant heroes.

I landed in the kitchen with a massive smile on my face, already heading for the back hall and Gram's room.

Almost ran right into Shenka. Who sobbed once and raced for me, hugging me and Gabriel both. I hugged her back, one armed, before pulling away, expecting a smile through her tears.

Seeing only terror.

"Syd," she whispered.

And then, I felt it.

Or didn't.

And I knew then what Gram had really given up. Raced past my second, spun around the bottom of the stairs, burst through my grandmother's door. Saw Lula and Phon, both collapsed in the corner, eyes glazed, energy depleted.

Sassafras perched on the pillow, silver fur mingling with wispy hair.

Mom kneeling beside her bed, Gram's limp hand between hers, sobbing.

Sobbing.

Everything froze: time, breath, life, death. There was only this snapshot of a moment.

My mother.

My grandmother.

Emptiness and darkness.

A purr broke through, unraveling time, waking me from the moment. A