Chapter 139. Once Upon a Time

“My story may not make sense, sweet child, but one day it will, and when you remember it, remember this night and this moment, and all will fall into place. You’ll know why I came.” Sierra Santo brushes a hand across my forehead gently, an affectionate yet straightforward touch of a mother, and I nod, not willing to interrupt her anymore, so eager for this story to begin even if I don’t grasp what she means. I love tales about witches, magic, and brave heroes, and I hope this will be a good one. I can already tell as she’s playing with my hair like we’ve started a great adventure.

I feel her sag against my thigh and sigh before her voice fills the air, still hushed yet clear and true.

“Once upon a time, a special girl called Danya lived near some breathtaking mountains in a land filled with immortals. She was only small, barely a girl.

She was unusual, though, as, before her, no other of her kind had been borne that had ever survived beyond the womb. They say the F