Amapola POV
The White Flames and the Beginning of Loss
The white flames disappeared in an instant, as though they had never been there. One moment, I had been running toward them, desperate to pull Mario back, and the next, the fire had vanished, taking him with it.
I stopped in my tracks, staring at the empty space where he had stood just moments before. My chest felt tight, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
“Rio!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the room.
When no answer came, I turned, spotting Uncle Liam nearby, bent over a pile of fallen books. Without thinking, I rushed to him, grabbing at his shirt with both hands.
“Uncle! Uncle! Mario was taken! He was pulled into the fire!” My voice cracked as I shouted, my words spilling out in a rush. “He’s gone! He’s gone, an
