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  Soon hushed whispers surrounded me.

  "We need to go now," an older man's voice said.

  "Where? How can we get out of here?" a young man's voice retorted. "She's dying."

  A bright orb of light shone in front of me. I wasn't dead, not yet. The light pulsated gently.

  "I know where we can go," the older man said firmly.

  The bright light glowed slightly brighter and began to move back and forth. It looked so warm and comforting, and I was so tired and worn. I hadn't felt comfort in a long time.

  "Follow me," a female voice murmured.

  "I'm not letting either one of you go anywhere with her,” the young man said with even more of a bite in his voice. “Not until you tell me who you are."

  Who were these people?

  "I've saved your life and hers hundreds of times," the female voice said forcefully. She sounded very upset. "Now she’s dying. I suggest you shut up and let me help her."

  The bright light faded into the distance, and the conversation disappeared. My body and mind split further apart. Surging forward, I pushed my thoughts ahead, trying to follow the light. But the closer I got, the more it faded into the distance. I pushed harder until I felt myself being pulled toward it.

  A strong arm braced my back, and another lifted my legs under my knees. Was this light my consciousness? I focused everything on the orb.

  The sound of rushing water captured my attention. I looked all around the dark abyss, waiting for the water to pour in, but nothing came.

  As I reached my hand toward the light, tight arms circled my waist, squeezing me close to a warm body. But when I looked behind me, no one was there. Pulling my hand away from the light, the strength of the arms disappeared, leaving me cold once more. I reached out again, and the voices returned.

  "Let's go!" the older man yelled above the roaring water.

  The arms holding me tensed. The beating had returned, this time on my back, pulsating hard and fast.

  "Trust me," the female voice said.

  I didn't have time to wonder why I should trust her before I felt my stomach fly up to my throat as the rest of my body was hurled in the opposite direction. As I intertwined myself with the light, I could feel the spray of water hit my face, my hair flying in different directions.

  I pulled back again, and the feeling faded, allowing my mind to finally grasp what was happening. Another choice was laid out in front of me. Would I choose to return to my realm, become one with my body again and face the cold figure who had threatened me? Or walk away from it all, farther and farther, until the light was but a distant memory, and I could allow myself the peace of the surrounding darkness?

  The light continued to pulse brightly as I stared into it. It would be so much easier if this choice could be made for me. Someone else could tell me what to do, and I wouldn't have to worry.

  "That's not how it works, unfortunately," a soft voice said.

  Like before, I glanced around, but no one was there. I turned back to the light. Its glow shifted slightly. I couldn't help thinking there was something I was meant to do. I didn't feel like my life was finished yet, but it would be so much easier to end it now.

  Except there was someone I was meant to find. Someone I had made a promise to. What would they think if I decided to quit and die on them? The glow of the light brightened and dulled as I argued with myself.

  "Sometimes a feeling is more truthful than a thought," the voice from before said.

  My mind and body were split, making my feelings hard to understand. But buried deep within, I somehow knew I still had life within me.

  Staring back at the light, I pushed myself toward the glowing orb until we were intertwined as one.

  I let out a gasp as the freezing, black water soaked through my clothes, cutting through my body like a knife. The pain in my leg seared, setting my nerves on fire as my leg whipped back against the force of the rushing tide. My arms reached out, flailing against the current as the arms holding me tightened.

  "Addie!" the young man's voice yelled in my ear.

  I cringed, pushing away from him, only to be pulled back. I opened my eyes to see that it wasn't an enemy, but Lyle.

  His eyes focused in concentration as we were carried by the black river. Swallowing hard, I shifted my body until I was facing him. Tears streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him close. I didn't think I would ever see him again. Although it hurt to feel, I was glad I could.

  His arms tightened around me once more as the rushing water began to slow into a steady current, pushing us through the dark walls of the cave.

  "I'm glad you didn't die on me," Lyle said in my ear.

  I laughed and sobbed. If only he knew.

  The current dragged us through the cave, where it led to another large cavern. Green moss covered the tops of the rocks that lay on the edge, creating a stairway leading out of the dark water. My eyes squinted as a bright light protruded from an opening above the rocks.

  When we arrived at the mossy stairs, a stream of white hair and a bloodied face greeted me with a smile. Detaching myself from Lyle, I reached out and grabbed Claire's hand, and she hoisted me up and enveloped me in a hug.

  "Stupid, stupid girl," she whispered in my ear.

  I let out a small laugh and hugged her back, happy to hear her words of encouragement once more. I was so thankful to be back with Claire and Lyle that I forgot everything that had happened earlier. Until I tried to take a step.

  I cried out in pain, my knees buckling beneath me as I collided with the mossy steps. The pain in my leg resurfaced, causing more tears to drip from my eyes. As Claire and Lyle rushed over, the emptiness in my chest and satchel gnawed at me, and I was aware of what was missing. The cool feeling of death began to creep on me once more.

  "Come on!" Claire shouted to Lyle, cupping her hands under my arms.

  Lyle gently scooped me up, cradling me in his arms. The familiar beating of my heart within him was strong and warm against my cold skin.

  The rhythmic steps of Lyle's feet pounding up the stones lulled me back into the darkness. Maybe I was only meant to come back to say goodbye.

  I shut my eyes as the bright light from the cave cascaded across my face. I had been in darkness for so long, I had forgotten what it was like to be surrounded by light.

  "How is she?" a deep, concerned voice asked. It sounded so familiar, like something from a dream.

  Warm, petite hands gripped both of mine and squeezed them tightly.

  "She doesn't have much time," a gentle, female voice said.

  It didn't sound like Claire's harsh and pointed tone. It was much too light, as if white, fluffy clouds were formed when the woman spoke.

  "Come," the first voice spoke again, and I could feel myself moving forward.

  I struggled to take in another shaky breath, feeling Lyle's arms tighten around me as I rocked back and forth with his steps.

  In a matter of moments, I felt myself leaving Lyle's arms. My back connected with a hard surface, reminding me of the marble slab in Doctor Magnum’s office.

  My body temperature had dropped, and my limbs were shivering. I knew it wouldn't be long until the numbness returned once more.

  Glass or instruments clattered around me as I strained to open my eyes. I cracked one open enough to see a man’s back. He was tall with dark brown hair that had been pulled away from his broad shoulders. His thick hands were working on something I couldn't see. But the weight of my eyelids became overwhelming, and I shut them.

  "Can you help her?" I heard Lyle say. His voice sounded distant.

  "Of course," the man said. "But it is not yet the right time."

  "She doesn't have time!" Lyle yelled.

  I wanted to sit up and tell him that everything was all right. He didn't need to worry about me. But my muscles refused to move. With no life left in my limbs, I was a corpse, clinging to a few last breaths.

  "Sana," the man said calmly. "Please sho
w this young man to where he'll be staying."

  A rustle of feet danced across the floor. The light, fluffy voice whispered something soft. Stomping steps mixed with the light steps as they filed from the room.

  "I know you're still in there, Addie," the man said, his voice as calm and gentle as before. "You chose to come back. Otherwise, you'd still be in the void of your indecision."

  How did he know that?

  The light footsteps returned to the room where I was lying. "The brother has been placed in his quarters," the soft voice said.

  "And the heartless?" the man asked, his hands pausing in movement.

  "She, too," the light voice responded. "Although she is no longer."

  The man hummed, as if he hadn't expected that answer. But what did it mean?

  "Very good, Sana. I need to work now. Please retrieve my mallet and chisel."

  The fluttery steps bounced away and returned within moments. Something heavy thudded on the marble slab next to me. The voice dismissed Sana from the room, leaving us alone once more.

  A few minutes passed before the solid steps of the man came nearer. "The time is right, Addie. I can save you, but I need your permission. Are you ready?" His voice was still gentle but carried a hint of concern.

  I didn't know how or why, but I managed a slight nod. Before I could change my mind, a hard pounding blasted across my chest, and I let out a scream as everything went dark.

  Chapter 38

  A hot pounding pumped throughout my body, like a burning fire waiting to be released. Footsteps rushed around: solid ones, light ones, hard ones, ones I couldn't identify. I didn't know where I was or what was happening. All I could feel was my chest radiating with heat.

  "Sana, the herbs. Now." The fluttering feet flew with haste around the room.

  Soon something leafy pressed against my chest. Simultaneously, something hard and smooth was pressed to my forehead.

  "Hold on, Addie. We're almost done," the voice said.

  A sharp pain seared its way through my chest. I could feel the flesh ripping in two. I cried out, arching my back in response. Cool metal left my skin and returned, pounding harder. I cried out again as hot tears streamed down my face. I tried to open my eyes but couldn't.

  "Sana."

  The light steps came closer, and more flat, leafy things were placed on my chest. The leaves immediately cooled my body. Something wet and sticky seeped from them, trickling around the heated parts of my chest.

  My breathing evened out as the cool leaves worked their way around my skin. Cool air hit me as someone lifted the sheet covering my legs.

  "Retrieve the linkslock from my garden, Sana. There's more work to be done."

  The steps fluttered away, then returned in seconds.

  I prayed that linkslock was some kind of magical herb that would fix my leg and knock me out for good.

  The man carefully removed my boot, and I winced at the pain. The tearing of fabric came next. I hoped Claire didn't want those pants back. Gentle yet calloused hands worked their way around my foot.

  I could feel the callouses on the man's hands. My skin felt alive again.

  The hands gripped my knee and heel, then snapped my leg straight. I screamed with everything I had. Heavy footsteps rushed from a hallway. The fluttery steps intercepted them.

  "What's he doing to her?" Lyle yelled.

  The fluttery steps and light voice of Sana, I presumed, said something soothing as my eyes shut.

  A hard thump vibrated through my veins, causing a red light to flash through my mind. It happened again; the red light pulsated with a mixture of yellow and orange. The thump pounded again, this time quicker than the last. The red light continued to flash with each thump until it reached a steady, rhythmic beat.

  My eyes shot open at the sound. This was impossible.

  Another thump.

  This beating. It shouldn't be happening. Where was it coming from?

  I lifted my hand to my chest, expecting to feel the cold void that had been there this entire time. Soft palpitations vibrated against my fingertips. Something was in there. Something alive.

  I sat up, tossing the tangle of sheets to my legs. Silver leaves fell from my flesh, tumbling to the ground as I rushed out of the bed.

  Running to a mirror a few feet away, I carefully pulled my shirt down enough to find the source of the beating. A thin red line crossed through the white circle on my chest, right above the thumping. I ran my fingers down the line, still not believing what I felt.

  "Don't worry," a gentle voice said from behind me. "Time heals all wounds."

  I tensed at the voice, recognizing it from before. "What did you do?" I whispered, frightened.

  A soft chuckle answered. “I did what you asked. I gave you a new heart."

  My eyes widened in the mirror as I attempted to process his response. With my hand still on the steady beating, I turned around. "That's impossible."

  A tall, sturdy man sat in a wooden chair, one leg crossed over the other. His oval, olive-toned face was covered in a thick, brown beard that matched his long, wavy hair, which was pulled back with a piece of string.

  He studied me with dark eyes, holding me frozen in front of him. Though his disposition seemed kind, I couldn't help but be frightened of him.

  It was impossible to get a new heart. Once you traded your own, it was gone for good. You didn't get a second chance. I knew that when I gave my heart to Lyle and Claire. I never expected a second chance.

  But as I felt the steady beats coming from inside me, I began to wonder what was fact and what was fiction.

  The man uncrossed his legs and stood, giving me a better view of him. He was dressed in brown slacks that were held up by dark suspenders stretched over a crisp, white shirt. Brushing his hands on his thighs, he looked at me with satisfaction.

  "Impossible? No." He walked closer until he was only a few feet away. "Extremely uncommon? Yes." He let out a laugh before his face saddened. "Especially with how the realms are faring now."

  I fidgeted with the hem of Lyle's sweater, thankful to have some comfort in this strange place. I took a deep breath. "I didn't ask for a new heart."

  The bed creaked from the weight of the man as he sat on it. "No, not verbally, anyway."

  I looked at him through the curtain of my short hair. "Then how?"

  Reaching over, he grabbed his chisel and began twirling it within his steady fingers. "Love is an interesting thing. It makes people jump from the highest mountains, believing they can fly. Or it convinces them to hide in the darkest caves, assuring them they never will. But what you did was something extraordinary. Something I haven't seen in many millennia."

  "What?"

  A soft smile alighted on the man's face. "You loved, dear child. With all your heart. Not many people are willing to do that. Not only did your love save one person, but two. Because you overcame your fears and willingly gave your heart, a new one could be formed."

  Biting my lower lip, I grasped the hem of Lyle’s sweater once more. "I still don't understand."

  The man laughed again and stood, placing his chisel on the bed. "In time, you will. You are still very young and have much to endure in the coming days."

  I was about to ask what he meant when he held his hand out to me.

  "Come," he said. "There are those who wish to see you."

  Closing my mouth, I grasped his calloused hand and followed.

  Chapter 39

  As we crossed the threshold of the door to the small operating room, I gasped. This was not what I was expecting to see on the other side.

  A long hallway made of gigantic trees stretched before us. Their light branches bent over one another, creating a ceiling with small gaps to allow golden sunlight to pass through.

  Everything else was just as magnificent, bright, and beautiful as a summer's day. I stared in awe as the light glittered through the air. I hadn't seen light this pure since I was a child.

  As we passed through, tiny bud
s bloomed on vines spiraling across the branches. Enchanted, I stared as a little blue bud sprouted into a yellow blossom with thick petals that waved as we walked by. I wanted to stay and study it, but the man gently nudged me along.

  A long vine cascaded from the ceiling, wrapping itself around my wrist. I gasped and tried to struggle away, but the man gave my hand a small pat and motioned toward the vine.

  I looked down to see tiny leaves growing from the vine and dancing across the top of my hand. The foliage rotated with vigor, prompting a smile from me as I gazed upon them. The leaves moved left and right before swaying in, then out, dancing to a melody I wished I could hear. Suddenly, they came together in the center of my hand and sprouted into a beautiful pink flower. Just when I thought the show was over, the flower gave off a soft lullaby, swaying to the notes as it sang.

  The man laughed. "They seem to like you."

  I stared back at the flower. "How do you know?"

  He gave me the same soft smile. "They're showing off."

  "Flowers don't usually sing and dance here?"

  He laughed again. "Oh, they do. But never so eloquently. Usually, they're off tune, each singing to a different melody. It's quite a mess."

  A smile came to my lips as I imagined the little leaves flailing about.

  As the man led me along, the flower ended its song and folded one of its petals, gesturing to me as if it were blowing a kiss. A tiny tingle landed on my cheek before we continued down the magical corridor.

  The archway of trees split into four different corridors as we reached its end. I hesitated, not knowing if this was another choice. I was so tired of having to choose.

  The man pulled me along as if he knew what I was thinking. "No need to worry. I'll show you which way to go."

  Relieved, I followed him down the second hallway. The trees in this archway were covered in a light green moss, sprouting delicate purple flowers. As we walked through, tiny white butterflies escaped the moss and greeted us with quiet hums. I stared at them, infatuated.

  "They're saying hello," the man said.

  A small white butterfly landed on a lock of my hair.