The closer I came to the Heart Tree, the warmer my pendant became.
White-golden light escaped beneath my shirt.
I pulled it free.
The crescent glowed.
The Heart answered.
Thump.
I stopped before the trunk.
Up close, I could see carvings covering the bark.
Names.
Thousands of them.
I touched one.
Elara Moonlight.
My breath caught.
Mama.
Beside it—
Matthias Moonlight.
My knees nearly gave way.
Their names.
Here.
Together.
I traced my father's.
Then my mother's.
"They were here."
Clarissa's voice was gentle.
"They still are."
I searched.
Another name appeared below theirs.
Smaller.
Newer.
Lara Moonlight.
I froze.
My name was already carved into the tree.
"How?"
The Heart beat.
Once.
A whisper moved through the leaves.
Little Moon.
I spun around.
No one.
