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Her friends were scattered in the street, some standing but not all, the battle stopped mid-fight. It was chaos still, but tragic and silent.
The souls of her ancestors lowered her to the ground. She nearly collapsed to her knees when she felt the solid surface beneath her, but forced herself to stand.
Her mother stood before her.
“Why?” Sofia whispered.
“Of course we had to protect you,” her mother said. “Of course. I love you daughter.”
With a last smile, her mother disappeared. Sofia wanted to scream her grief to the sky, to tear at her hair.
Her people turned to look at her, but it wall all she could do not to scream. Through blurry vision, she saw Felix and Aurora approach.
Felix. A timewalker. Of course.
She ran to him. “Felix. Malcolm is gone. You have to take me back in time. Back to before he did it.”
Grief crumpled Felix’s brow and his fists clenched. Aurora clutched his arm and Sofia was struck by envy that she could do that. That her man was still alive.
Why hadn’t she tried to be with Malcolm sooner? She should have taken what she could get.
“I can’t do that.” Felix’s voice was rough. “It’s against timewalker law to change such a big piece of history. And even if I could, I wouldn’t.”
“What?” she gasped.
“Malcolm chose that fate. If he hadn’t, you would be dead. He chose your life over his own. Malcolm was the smartest man I’ve ever met. He knew it was necessary or he wouldn’t have done it. It was his choice and I’m going torespect it.” His voice was nearly gone by the time he stopped talking.
“No! You have to!”
“I won’t.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry,” Aurora said, her golden eyes sad. “We have to go.”
They disappeared, no doubt returning to their lovely home.
The rest of their help from the university approached: Vivienne, Sylvi and Logan, Cadan and Diana, Esha and Warren. All had survived, though most were dripping blood or limping. They were too powerful to kill, but not powerful enough that any had made it to Malcolm in time.
“Thank you,” she choked out, forcing away her grief. “For helping. We wouldn’t have—wouldn’t have—”
“We understand,” Diana said, her voice kind. “We’ll send back healers from the university to help your wounded. Call upon us if you need anything else.”
Sofia nodded blindly, barely noticing when they departed. Kitty pressed against her leg and Sofia reached down and picked her up, holding her to her chest. She looked out at the remnants of her town.
Her people staggered in the street, helping the injured to their feet. The building Malcolm had destroyed still smoked. The street was mud and littered with debris. The tornados and waterspouts had destroyed several buildings near the wharf.
In the distance, she saw Aleia helping Inara walk.
The sight of her friend—of her village and her people—hit her in the chest. She sucked in a ragged breath and pushed the near-crippling pain down deep inside her.
The High Witches were dead, destroyed in the aether blast, but she was still the Protector of Bruxa’s Eye. And her job wasn’t over yet.
20
Sofia staggered down the street, so filthy and exhausted she could barely see straight. It’d been nearly six hours since Malcolm had died and the battle had ended.
Every muscle hurt, and with the oncoming dusk, it was becoming harder to see the street and debris in front of her. If she tripped and fell on her face, she’d probably just stay there. Kitty would probably sleep on her back.
She hugged Kitty closer. Normally she didn’t carry her, but everyone was exhausted after the battle this morning.
