“What?” Sunny said, her voice empty of all emotion, the simple question offered by one who no longer understand the nature of the world around them.

Soraya didn’t understand either, not until the nightdemon’s body began to shrink, every change they’d witnessed earlier reversing themselves, her fur vanishing, leaving behind blood-slick skin, her golden eyes dimming, returning to the deep blue that Seela had used to captivate her customers for all these years. Even the trio of golden leaves faded across her brow, returning it to an unmarred channel of rich, brown skin. In mere moments, she was human again, lying naked on the ground, the truth of what had happened to her standing over her, no longer hidden by the monster creature.

Sinna Marin gripped an ethereal sword that seemed to be made of sparks. A sword that disappeared as though it had never existed in the first place. “It is done,” she said.

“You…,” Sunny said, taking a step toward the woman. “Who are you? What have you done?”

Soraya placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder to encourage her to stay back. She didn’t know what Sinna was capable of, nor what her agenda was, and she didn’t want Sunny to get caught up in all of it. “Sinna, why did you do that? I could’ve healed her.”

The woman smiled. Of all things, she smiled. Sunny growled in response, but her anger was directed toward Soraya rather than Sinna. “You know this woman?”

“I—no. I only just met her. She gave me the idea to use godsblood to save Seela.”

“How did that work out?” She shrugged herself free from Soraya’s grip. “I’ll kill her. Blood for blood.”

“She’s dangerous,” Soraya said.

“You both are.” The woman’s words were cold, cutting, and Soraya knew she deserved every bit of the accusation they were laced with. “You said you could save her. I believed you.”

“I tried to, I swear it.”

“That means nothing to me.” She glared daggers at Sinna. “Get away from her. I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

Sinna nodded and glided away. She lowered herself into a crouch and opened her arms. To Soraya’s surprise, Morg immediately scampered across the clearing and leapt into them. She stood, stroking the creature’s soft fur. “Morg, come on back over here,” Soraya said, but the animal didn’t move, releasing soft sounds of contentment at being stroked. “Give him back,” she demanded.

The woman laughed lightly and lowered him to the ground. “As you wish.” Morg, however, didn’t move, looking back at Sinna as though seeking permission. “It’s okay. Go back to your mama.” Only then did he scamper back over to her, hopping into her pouch as she held it open for him. Soraya released the breath that had become lodged in her throat every second that Morg had been apart from her.