Book 10: Just Like Mother

Aviva

I barely have time to pull my dress over my body before Ryan is running again, hastily pulling on his shirt. I leave my sandals behind and sprint toward him, my bare feet slipping over rock that turns to gravel as we reach the village. My heart is thundering when I finally reach his side. 

We sprinted down into the valley. It took mere minutes compared to the long climb up to the spring. I’ve never run so fast, and so far, and my legs burn as I reach for Ryan’s arm but–

People are gathered around one of the houses near the center of the village. I see Shosanna in the crowd and rush out a desperate prayer, thanking the Goddess for keeping her safe from… whatever we hurried here for. 

But then a scream rips through the night, hollow and anguished. My blood runs cold as a memory slips through my mind, burning to light. The sound of the scream is so familiar and so fresh, even though it’s been several years since I heard that same