Savannah’s face scrunched up like she was going to cry but she turned and buried her face in Cooper’s chest before we could see the tears. Not that we blamed her, or anyone.

“I’m hoping Thorne and Sage can offer some insight into these injuries we can’t heal.” Tegan closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then she opened and turned to face her twin who hadn’t moved from her spot on the ledge in front of the hearth. Tegan hurried over to sit in front of her. “Hi, twin.”

Em let out a strangled cry, then fell forward, collapsing into Tegan’s chest. Tegan looked up to Cooper and nodded. Cooper was rubbing Savannah’s back with his hands, but he lifted one and a purple-blue magic spilled from his fingers. I almost smiled remembering that his magic always matched the sky wherever he was.

Deacon appeared out of thin air next to Cooper. I knew he wasn’t really standing there, he was just in his astral projection form like before, but we hadn’t seen Deacon even like this in a bit. Deacon arched one blond eyebrow and glanced around, like he was confused why he was summoned. He opened his mouth like he was going to ask when his gaze landed on Emersyn sobbing into Tegan’s chest.

His violet eyes widened. “Emersyn?”

She jumped up and spun toward the sound of his voice, but that bandage was still wrapped around her head. “Deacon?”

“What happened to you?” He rushed forward and reached out for her, but he wasn’t physically here, so his hand swept right through her. He whimpered. “Butterberry?”

She cried. “You’re not really here⁠—”

“Bring her down to me. Please?” Deacon’s eyes were panicked as his aura, which said a lot since he wasn’t here. “Cooper, please⁠—”

“I’m coming.” Cooper kissed Savannah’s forehead, then hurried to his sister. He reached out and took her hands in his. “Come on, Em. Let’s go see Deacon.”

Tegan snapped her fingers and her siblings were gone.

Deacon’s projection lingered. “Is she blind? Her eyes⁠—”

“We don’t really know,” Bentley answered softly. “Her eyes are . . . there but . . . we don’t know. She is currently blind though.”

“Go to her, D.” Tegan stood and brushed her hands over her black, ripped jeans. “I fear for her soul locked in that darkness.”

Savannah shuddered, which didn’t make me feel better.