(Sam’s POV)
The Elves had taken over half the kids away.
“For deep light healing,” they’d said, like it was a spa retreat instead of a last-ditch hope.
They promised the children would come back if they could be healed. And if not… they’d live on the Other Side, human and harmless.
“Harmless,” Lillyann muttered beside me, anger flickering in her voice. “Of course they’re harmless, they’re children.”
“Scared people make promises that sound like lies,” I said, stirring a delicious stew.
She shot me a look. “Don’t get philosophical, Samuel. You’re not built for it.”
“Good. I was hoping to retire before enlightenment.”
That got me a laugh. If me and my Lilly were good at anything, it was having a laugh, even in the worst of times. As our laughter faded, the reality of our situation set
