Chapter 648: Gram

They wanted to talk, but I was done. I left them to hash out their own guilt and frustration while I finally let myself think of home.

And Gram.

Mom descended to my side, took my hand as I sliced open the veil and headed for Wilding Springs. Pressed my crystal into my palm as she did, returning it to me. The tiny soul inside rejoiced at our reunion, but I couldn't muster enthusiasm. Not when I didn't know what waited for me on the other end of the trip.

The kitchen felt surreal, like somewhere I remembered from a long time ago, but hadn't thought of in ages. Shenka dropped the carton of milk she held, the refrigerator door gaping open as she cried out and rushed to me, hugging me tight while a white pool of liquid spread beneath us.

"Syd," she whispered. "We were so worried."

I hugged her back, felt the touch of Mom's magic as she cleaned up the mess, looked up to see her put the milk back in the fridge. Shivered. She was herself, the woman I remembered when I was little. Young an