Nancy's spectacular ice-blue eyes blinked. Through their shared connection, he could sense her sadness for the man's pain and suffering. The depth of her empathy surprised him. "Then, on the eve of Winter Solstice, at the moment of greatest darkness, he found his light. Her heart stopped beating at the exact time between the twodays and great magic was released with her passing. The spirits of all the animals she’d ever called materialized and bound themselves to receptive humans across the realm. One of those spirits took refuge in her, and through its power, she was healed."
Nancy's lips parted and she released the breath she’d been holding. Eric felt sorrow lift from his chest. "Those who now held animal spirits flocked to the couple, and he told their story. His faith spread. Others b
