CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I woke up suddenly, every thought in high definition. Though my eyes were open, I can’t think of why; my heart was pounding. It’s as if a hypodermic of adrenaline had been emptied into my carotid. I strained into the utter darkness, breathing rate beginning to steady. The noises outside are of terror and roars unlike how it should be on a night in Arth. A glance at the window showed flames licking up the air as if to catch something else on fire.

“Phoebe.”

My heart rate spiked again at the whisper. “Who is there?” I whispered back.

“It’s me, Uncle Al.”

I felt his strong, familiar arms engulf me in a tight hug.

“Thank the gods. It worked. You’re awake.”

“What is happening?”

“There is not much time. Put on this cloak,” he raised a black cloak and pushed them into my hands. “Everything you would ever need are in the inside pockets. Hurry.”

I climbed out of bed and slipped it on. Everything that happened in the past week slowly became clear. Grief and guilt became my companions once