All Soraya wanted to do was go to her, to stop her, even if it meant she was hurt, or even killed. She would do anything for this creature, who, in her eyes, could never truly be a monster. Soraya felt this desire so strongly that it was like being wrapped in the warmest blanket while sitting by a happy fire. She wanted to live in that feeling, wanted to be painted with its warmth and light. For it was a love like none she’d ever known.

She wanted to bask in it.

“No,” she heard her own voice growling, from another place.

But still that emotion held her back, like strong, thick cords wrapped around every part of her—unbreakable.

You are not her, she thought desperately. She is not you. You are… What was her name again? It started with an ‘S’, didn’t it? S-S-S-Sunny? No! That was wrong, wasn’t it?

Wasn’t it?

GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!

The command was full of such force that Soraya was physically launched back as she was expelled from Sunny’s mind.

“Please,” Sunny said, staring at her. Soraya was now laying several feet away on the floor, feeling rather bruised. “Please don’t hurt her.” This woman was so strong on the outside that it was hard to believe what she did next. She dropped to her knees and clasped her hands together. “I beg you.”

Soraya knew what she was supposed to do in a situation such as this. For as much as her heart hurt for this woman, her pain mattered not compared to what she’d been charged with doing. Protecting Narcissi at all costs. Being the Guardian she was always meant to be.

“She’s killing people. She almost killed my friend. He still might die.”

Sunny’s head dipped to the floor, her entire body going still. There was something unnatural about that stillness. Soraya tensed, ready to run or protect herself if the woman suddenly attacked. But when Sunny looked up, there was no anger in her expression. No violence. Just quiet, sad resignation. She nodded. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I think I’ve always known, but I’d just hoped that if I could somehow get through to her…” Her nod turned into a shake. “It was a fool’s hope, I know. I am a fool. A fool in love.”

“It’s not foolish to want to help someone you care about,” Soraya said. “But it must stop. The nightly killings. The fearmongering. You can’t let her continue to rampage through Seer, terrorizing its citizens. It’s not good for anyone, including Seela.”

“You think she’s suffering?” Sunny’s eyes were wide and fearful now.

“Don’t you?”

“I—I’m so selfish.”

“You are human. Not wanting to hurt isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

“What do we do now?”