The Silent Wing
"A single wing. I remember thinking it was strange because it wasn't the Vale family crest. Wraithmoor has always used two."
The wind moved through the trees. For a few seconds, that was the only sound.
Then, somewhere far away, faint enough that I almost convinced myself I'd imagined it, I heard the helicopter again.
Not returning. Just distant. Fading. Carrying Mara farther away from us with every second we stood there talking about embroidery instead of moving.
"One wing," Sienna repeated.
Something shifted behind her eyes. I could almost see the pieces connecting.
"A single wing."
Her voice had gone quiet. Focused. The grief was still there, but it was changing shape. Hardening into some