The white light was so intense it felt like a weight pressed against June’s eyes. The floating oven rocked on the waves. The white marble tower kept rising from the sea, pushing a wall of water in every direction.
"Hold her steady!" Dante yelled. He was kneeling on the slick metal roof, arms tight around June’s shoulders to keep her safe.
June’s breath came fast and shallow. The pain in her stomach wasn’t dull anymore—it burned in a rhythm. Every time the baby moved, the air around them shimmered with golden energy.
"I can’t… Dante, I can’t do this here!" June cried, gripping the cold iron of the oven until her knuckles went white. Sweat and salt water covered her body.
"You have to, June!" Sarah was at her other side, pressing a wet cloth to June’s forehead. "The baby won’t wait for l
