Mae stepped outside into the cooling air, the fractured sky hanging above like a cracked mirror. The horizon shimmered in shades of copper and violet. She didn’t care. She was done pretending everything was okay. Her steps were shaky but sure as she made her way toward the cluster of silver-barked trees near the edge of the reborn garden. They looked peaceful, untouched, but even they bent slightly with the tension in the air. She clenched her fists. Her breaths came fast, uneven, too close to sobs. “Why would he do that?” she whispered to herself. “Why now?” Her throat closed tight.
The trees around her stood still, waiting. Mae didn’t scream out loud. But inside, she roared. The power surged up again, hot and fierce, and as she forced herself not to lose control, she pressed her hands a
