The next thing Nova knew, she had been seized in a tight grip, pulled hard into a hug that was the closest contact she had had in months. She froze, scrunching up her face and preparing to lock down her magic with all her might, but … the need never rose. It was there, present and close to the surface, but it didn’t ache to be free the way it did when others touched her. After a few long moments to be certain, Nova lifted her arms and returned Aurora’s hug, relieved to finally know her best friend was alive.

That was when all hell broke loose.

Nova pulled back with a gasp as something between her and Aurora became sizzling hot, even by her standards.

Aurora’s familiar face contorted with an emotion she didn’t know—terror, pain, or something worse. Her friend let out a low agonized groan, and at the same time the entire world seemed to shake, the passageway around them raining down dirt and rocks. The soft touch of Aurora’s hands on Nova’s arms became tighter and tighter, nails digging in until Nova could feel the skin break.

It was like something out of a nightmare, worse because not even Nova’s traitorous mind could ever dream up something this cruel. She yelped and squirmed, trying to get free from her friend’s grasp, but the hold was too tight.

Storm sirens blared outside, but Nova would have known a storm approached from the howl of the wind alone; it sounded like a monster. As if in reaction to the building storm, Aurora’s grip grew painfully fierce. In Nova’s panic, a burst of flame rose up inside, ready to rescue her, and Nova cried out louder in response, not sure how long she would be able to hold her instincts back.

A girl she had not seen before with short curly hair and dark skin appeared out of nowhere, pressing one hand to each side of Aurora’s head and commanding, “Your shields, Aurora.”

The princess squeezed her eyes shut, and breathed, “I’m trying.”

The other girl continued, “Separate your soul. Now. You know what is you, and what is not. Separate. Make space. And enforce your shields.”

Nova had no idea what was happening, but after a few moments, Aurora’s grip did ease enough that Nova could break away. The warrior woman was there to catch her as soon as she stumbled back.

“Easy, there. Breathe.” Nova tried to do what she was saying, but her anxiety was in control now. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears, her skin clammy, and her vision blotted with dark spots. “You are safe. I promise. I promise.”