A hundred new voices poured through three threads at once and the garden shook with the weight of so many hearts arriving together.
I grabbed Julian’s hand. “That is more than we have ever taken at one time. Feel the ground?”
“Yes,” he said. “We meet them at the center circle. Stay with me.”
We ran. Talia, Daren, Mira, Kade, Pyra, Sol, Kael and Voss were already there. The new arrivals stepped through in groups. People from the song isles, the fire edges, and a new water realm whose skin shimmered like wet stone. Children held tight to parents. Old ones leaned on younger arms. Everyone looked tired and hopeful.
A woman with blue-gray skin stepped forward. “I am Neri from the water reaches. We heard the garden takes open bonds and clear words. We ask for space. We bring songs and strong
