Chapter 16
I walked through the cala grass to Airmed’s home with a heavy heart. Saying goodbye to Auroreis and my mother had been difficult. Both had been waiting in my room for me when I’d returned from the Command offices. My mother had been quiet, but the strength of her embrace had told me how reluctant she was to let me go. I was relieved when she didn’t try to talk me out of it. When I said goodbye to Auroreis, I was struck by how the young girl no longer seemed like a child. This time, she didn’t ask for candy and skinny jeans from Midgard when I returned. News of the Shades’ latest misdeeds had spread like wildfire through Valhalla, and this time all she’d wanted was my safe return. There had been tears in her eyes as she’d zipped up my satchel, promising it would be waiting for m
