After a string of hums, Derrah’s mouth opened, vocalizing an eldritch melody. When her tune grew louder, her skin hummed with a velvety light, building to a near blinding radiance before it exploded from her being and dashed outward to the castle grounds below. It flooded over the knolls in a scouring wave, and Cian watched as it hit Uncle Tate and Aunt Jaelyn’s back.
They both seemed shaken, pausing in their departure. Turning, they first looked at each other first, then up at everyone on the balcony. Derrah’s song cut, leaving them all in silence as they stared at each other.
The quiet spell was broken when Derrah gasped, swooning. Both he and his mother shuffled toward her since they were closest to her, grabbing Derrah before she collapsed to the ground. Her forehead pebbled
