Chapter 14

"You can't do this," Nora shook her head in anger.

"I can," Hayden said. "I just did."

Nora's eyes narrowed as she shot daggers through her gaze. Her hands balled into fists as her face heated up. She felt her temper flare like wildfire, the same fire that was dancing in Hayden's eyes. If he thought he could hold her here against her will and she would quietly go along with it, Hayden was a bigger idiot than Nora had thought in high school.

Nora's attention shifted to Hayden's door as he stood in front of her, waiting to see what she would do. He let her stomp over to the door before he flickered his hand and the door shut with a loud bang.

Nora turned, refusing to look at Hayden as she went for the sliding glass windows.

"Are you seriously considering that?" Hayden asked as Nora pushed the window open and looked down. "You'll break every single bone in your body. That's a three story jump."

"Open the door," Nora commanded, turning around.

"No."

"Hayden, open the door or I'll scream."

"Soundproof rooms, remember?"

Nora still tried her luck. She used all her might to scream at the top of her lungs, making Hayden's hands fly up to cover his ears.

"You can scream all you want!" Hayden holler back, holding his ears.

"Hayden, please!" Nora stomped her feet. "This is ridiculous. You're acting like a child!"

"You're the one stomping and screaming!"

Nora's anger boiled over. She grabbed the closest thing to her on the nightstand and hurled it towards Hayden's head. The half jinn easily ducked out of the way, causing the crystal glass to shatter against the window.

"Stop," Hayden warned as Nora grabbed the lamp of the nightstand.

"Open the door," Nora said.

"Put down the lamp."

"Unlock the door," Nora held the lamp like a baseball bat, ready to swing.

"Getting out of this room isn't going to solve any of your problems."

"Open the fuckin door, you lunatic!"

"Fine!"

Nora watched the lock turn on its own and the door swung open. She immediately dropped the lamp and ran out, heading for the stairs. Hayden's heavy footsteps followed her as she marched downstairs and turned for the main entrance of the house.

"Nora, stop," Hayden commended, following her down the hall.

"You don't get to tell me what to do," Nora said bitterly.

She reached for the door and swung it open.

Hayden held up his hand and the door shut, yanking Nora forward with it.

"Sorry," he jumped forward. "Are you okay?"

"Screw you!" Nora snickered, pulling the door open once more.

Hayden raised his hand again and the door shut.

Nora opened the door and Hayden shut it. She opened it and he shut it.

Frustrated, angry, and tired, Nora let out another scream.

"Stop screaming!" Hayden yelled.

"Are you insane?" Nora cried. "Do you see what the fuck you are doing?"

"If this means you will think things through then so be it!"

"Oh my god! You are actually crazy!" Nora shook her head.

She turned and pulled the door open. But before the wind could even touch her face, the door slammed shut.

"Hey!" Heyder appeared at the top of the stairwell. "What the fuck is going on here?"

"Don't worry about it," Hayden said. "I got it under control."

"Hayden," Maya walked out of her study and looked at her son and Nora with worry. "What is all this?"

"He's kidnapping me!" Nora yelled.

"Hayden!" Maya's eyes widened.

"She wants to go back to the fey!" Hayden said in his defense. "She wants to give up our mark!"

"What mark?" Heyder asked, coming down the stairs.

"I marked her," Hayden said. "I didn't know. It's a fey mark."

"Nora, you met the feys?" Birdie asked, stepping out from where she was lingering in the corner.

"I can't talk about all this right now," Nora shook her head. "I need to go back. They need me there."

"Ah yes, they need you so badly," Hayden mocked. "You have to get started on growing a baby!"

"Not now!" Nora snapped, pulling at the door.

All the locks automatically turned and a shimmering silver glow sealed the door shut.

"Are you kidding me?" Nora asked, looking at the spell Hayden just casted.

"I told you," the half jinn said. "You are not leaving this house."

"You don't get to decide that!"

"Hayden!" Maya stopped forward, appalled by her son's behavior. "What are you doing?"

"Maya," Nora turned towards the witch. "Please. You have to make him understand. I have to go back. There are sick children on that island. They need me. I have to go back."

Maya looked at her son.

"No," Hayden said automatically. "She's not leaving."

"You can't hold her here against her will," Heyder said. "That is kidnapping."

"Do none of you understand the severity of the situation?" Hayden asked, looking around with frustration.

"No, we don't," Maya said sternly. "Because you two just came in here tearing the place apart. Maybe if you talked like civilized beings we would understand and come to some kind of an agreement."

"Mama bear is right," Heyder said. "You break my door, you will pay for it."

"Okay, fine," Hayden said. "You wanna talk? Let's talk. Nora? You go first. Tell them how you want to burn away our marriage."

"Marriage?" Heyder's eyes widened. "What in the hell?"

"We're not married!" Nora glared at Hayden.

"Oh yeah, that's right," Hayden said. "Our bond is more than marriage. Thanks for reminding me, honey!"

"Right now, there is no our bond," Nora spat out in anger. "I can not believe I thought you would hear me out and support me."

"Support you?" Hayden laughed. "You want to throw away everything. You really think I would support that?"

"I don't know what I was thinking!"

"Enough!" Maya raised her voice over the two.

Nora stilled. She clamped her mouth shut but did not stop glaring at Hayden.

"We are going to talk about this," Maya said. "In the living room."

"I think the conversation is going just fine right he-" Hayden looked at the anger in his mother's eyes and made the wise choice to not finish his statement.

Maya turned on her heels and headed into the living room. Birdie looked at Nora and then at Hayden, wondering who would be the first to yield. They were both stubborn as hell but she knew Hayden wouldn't turn his back on Nora. No matter how angry or upset they were at each other, Hayden would wait for her to go first and he would follow. And that's exactly what happened.

Nora walked into the living room, followed by the rest of the family. She sat across from Maya and let out an angry sigh as Hayden took the seat beside her.

"Now," Maya said. "Speak. Explain what is happening."

"From the beginning please," Heyder said.

Hayden looked at Nora, "Go ahead."

"I don't need your permission," Nora glared.

"Hey!" Heyder snapped his fingers. "Stop fighting! Start talking."

Nora turned to face the jinn. She pushed aside Hayden's anger seeping into her skin and cleared her throat.

"I met the feys," she began. "I know I was supposed to alert you of their location right away but I couldn't."

"Why not?" Heyder asked.

"Because the feys are not who you think they are," Nora said. "These are not the same people that enslaved jinns and inflicted centuries of torture. These are children. And they're dying."

Maya and Birdie looked at each other as Heyder waited for Nora to continue.

"They need my blood to keep the tree alive," Nora continued. "But the day Hayden saved me after my fall, he unknowingly marked me. And now, my blood is of no use because it has fey magic."

"Why does that matter?" Maya asked. "I thought fey blood was good for the tree."

"Only the blood from a high fey," Nora said. "Any other blood will kill the tree."

"So they want to purify you," Heyder said slowly, spinning his rings. "They think it will burn off the mark and your blood will be good to go."

"Yes," Nora nodded.

"Tell them the alternative," Hayden looked at Nora. "Go on."

Nora took in a deep breath to keep herself from snapping at the boy once more. She could not believe his behavior.

"If my blood does not work," Nora cleared her throat. "Then I will have to.....reproduce more vestals."

Heyder and Maya's eyes widened.

"What does that mean?" Birdie asked, looking around. "Reproduce more vestals? How?"

"She'll need to have babies," Hayden pinched the bridge of his nose.

"With you?"

"No," Nora shook her head. Her eyes flickered to Hayden for a second before she looked back at Birdie. "With a human."

Hayden's face twisted as the muscle in his jaw jumped. He stared at the floor as everyone around the room absorbed the information they were presented with. He could feel Nora's eyes on him, but he refused to look up at her.

"Is there no other way to save the tree?" Maya asked. "These options...they seem so extreme."

"If there is, we don't know of it," Nora shook her head.

"That's exactly why you shouldn't be rushing into a decision," Hayden said, his eyes still staring straight ahead. "You don't know all of your options."

"Hayden is right," Heyder said. "You need to think this through. It seems like whatever option you pick, you'll be stuck on that island. And option one leads right into option two."

"What do you mean?" Nora frowned.

"Come on, peanut," Heyder laughed. "You're smarter than this. You don't think these feys will force you to have vestal babies once you burn off Hayden's mark and save the tree?"

"I...." Nora's heart started to pound in her chest.

"They need more vestals," Heyder shrugged. "They have you for now, but what about after?"

"Nora..." Maya leaned forward. "Don't rush into this."

"I'm not rushing...."

"Liar," Hayden mumbled under his breath.

Nora's eyes filled with tears as she turned to face him.

"These kids don't have time," she said, her voice cracking. "Why don't any of you get that? I know I should research more and try to find another vestal but there is no time. I've seen the kids die in front of me. They're turning to ashes."

Birdie began to shift around her seat uncomfortably. Nora could see she was the only one she was truly getting through to.

"And nothing is going to change," Nora continued. "If I get purified, it will change nothing between Hayden and me. We'll still be the same people. It'll just buy us some more time to find a permanent solution."

"A permanent solution?" Heyder asked. "Sweetheart, I sent you there so we could kill them off. Not become their saviors."

"They've done nothing to you!" Nora cried. "You want to hunt down the feys that killed your people, fine, be my guest. But these are children. They're innocent."

"And what will these children do when they grow up and learn what we did to their parents?"

"When does the hate end?" Nora's eyes watered. "When does it stop?"

Heyder looked away, his face hard as stone.

"We have a chance to do the right thing," Nora said quietly. "History will remember this moment. It all comes down to what we do now. Please...."

Maya looked at her husband. No one spoke a word as they all sat around, drawing in Nora's words. Hayden leaned his head back and ran a hand through his dark locks, making Nora's heart clench. She suddenly remembered Noor and her eyes watered.

Hearing her sniffled, Hayden turned his head towards her and frowned. His eyes searched her face, wondering why the anger had suddenly vanished.

"Please," Nora said once more. "I need to go back."

Hayden's eyes softened.

"There is a little boy waiting for me to get back," Nora held back a sob. "He's name is Noor and he's only six years old. Both his parents are dead and he will die too if I do nothing."

"Nora..." Hayden reached for her hand.

"Please," Nora begged. "I will never be able to forgive myself if I don't try."

"I understand," Hayden said. "Trust me, I get it. But please, just give me some time. We can find something else."

"Why are you not seeing that it's not up to me?" Nora sobbed. "I can't ask for time."

"Hayden," Maya slowly called to her son.

Hayden looked over to his mother as Birdie stared at Nora.

"This is something you and Nora need to talk through," Maya said. "What we decide to do with the feys can be discussed later on. But for now....you two need to decide what you're going to do about the mark."

As Hayden nodded, Heyder slowly rose to his feet. He took in a deep breath and rubbed his jaw before looking down at Nora crying on the sofa.

"I know the feeling of running out of time when trying to save the life of a child," the jinn said. "I get it."

Nora looked up with her tear filled eyes.

"I'm gonna let you do what you think is right for these children," Heyder said. "But only under one condition."

"What is that?" Nora asked.

"You give me their location," Heyder said. "They stay on that island but I need to know where they are at all times. They are feys after all. They can't be trusted."

"A life of imprisonment," Nora said.

"You want more? They have to earn it," Heyder said bitterly. "I am not going to jeopardize my people for an island full of fey children who I have never met. For all I know they could all be trained to kill jinns on sight."

"They don't even have enough magic to save themselves!"

Heyder opened his mouth but Maya stopped him. She walked over to where the jinn stood and placed a hand over his heart to calm him down. As she rubbed his chest, Heyder looked down at her and closed his mouth.

"Birdie," Maya looked back at her daughter. "Let them talk."

Birdie slowly nodded and gathered herself up from her seat. As she slowly passed Nora, she reached out and squeezed her shoulder. In return, Nora lifted her lashes and gave the sweet girl a small smile.

Hayden sat quietly as everyone walked out of the room. He heard Birdie close the door as Nora wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. She cleared her throat and sniffled, waiting for him to speak.

"Don't be upset with me," she said when it was clear Hayden wasn't going to start.

"I am," Hayden said.

"I should be more upset with you," Nora looked up. "You tried to lock me in your room."

"It almost worked," Hayden laughed, but his eyes didn't light up.

"I'm sorry, Hayden," Nora frowned. "I'm really sorry."

"What happens now?" Hayden turned to look at the girl beside him.

"I go back..." Nora said quietly. "And I get purified."

"I would like to be there for that."

"No."

"Nora," Hayden clicked his tongue, growing frustrated once more. "How can you ask me to let you return to these people when you yourself don't even trust them with me?"

"You mean too much to me for me to gamble with your safety."

"You can't say that," Hayden shook his head. "You can't say that and then tell me you want to give up our bond."

Nora looked down at her hands, feeling hopelessly trained and heartbroken.

"Nothing will change, Hayden," she said.

Slowly, Hayden reached out and placed his hand against Nora's face. His touch was so warm and inviting Nora almost climbed onto his lap. She felt her heart stop for a second as he moved closer and leaned his forehead against her.

"I love you," Hayden whispered. "But you already knew that."

Nora shut her eyes and gripped his wrist. Her heart started to beat carelessly as Hayden lowered his lips and brushed them over Nora's mouth.

"Promise me you will come back as soon as you do what you need to," Hayden said, pulling back just a little to look into Nora's eyes.

"I promise," Nora said in a heartbeat.

"If anyone touches you..." Hayden's hand warmed and his eyes hardened.

"No one," Nora assured him. "Only you."

"I don't want you to go," Hayden once again brushed his mouth over Nora's lips. "Please, think about it one more time."

"They need me," Nora said the words against his lips.

"And what about us?" Hayden asked. "I need you."

"Nothing is going to change," Nora promised.

Hayden pulled her closer and crushed her lips to his. His fingers found their way into her hair as he memorized the moment and engraved it into his mind. Nora's lips were as sweet as ever. She held onto him tightly, pushing her own hands into his soft hair and tugging at the roots.

"I wish you would tell me where this place is," Hayden said. "I don't feel comfortable with you being there without your mind-link. How will you contact me if anything happens?"

"I...." a frown formed on Nora's lips as she realized his concerns were very valid.

Hayden sensed her hesitation and pulled back. He quietly stood up and opened a portal beside the sofa.

"Where are you going?" Nora asked, looking at the air shimmer.

"Give me a minute," Hayden said as he disappeared into the portal.

Nora sat back and stared at the screen, expecting it to close up. But it never did. Hayden popped in and came back out within thirty seconds, making Nora wonder what he was up to.

"Keep this on you," Hayden said, holding up a gold pixie ring. "It belongs to Annabelle and Elian, but they're more than happy to share with you for a few."

Nora stared as Hayden took her hand and contemplated on which finger to put the thing. Her heart started pounding as he lowered the ring on her left hand and into her index finger. But before the gold had a second to conform to Nora's finger, Hayden slipped it back out and placed it on her middle finger.

"I want to get you a ring," he said, when Nora looked up at him. "I don't want to put Annabelle's ring on your finger."

"You don't have to get me a ring," Nora blushed.

"I do," Hayden said. "Especially if you won't have my mark on you anymore."

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

"I'm not asking you," Hayden smiled. "I'm telling you I will marry you. There's a difference."

"How did we get here?" Nora suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?"

"How did we go from two teenagers who never spoke to one another to you telling me you will marry me?"

"I don't know," Hayden shook his head, smiling. "But I like it."

"Me too," Nora pushed up to her toes and placed a kiss on Hayden's lips.

"Let me show you how to use your ring," Hayden said, filling his lungs with the scent of her hair.

"Okay," Nora nodded.

______________________

Nora took in a deep breath as she stepped out of the portal and faced the town hall. Hayden's kiss still lingered on her lips as he kissed her goodbye reluctantly. Nora knew it was hard for him to let her go but she was surprised he was actually able to follow through with his words.

Slipping the ring off her finger, Nora walked up the steps of the building in the dark and knocked on the double doors. She hid her ring away in her pocket as the doorknob turned and Nico stepped out.

"You look surprised," Nora said.

"I wasn't expecting you to come back," the boy said.

"Well, I'm here now."

"How did it go?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes," Nico said honestly.

"It was..." Nora filled her lungs once more and sighed. "It was hard."

"I bet," the boy nodded. "If Alma ever marked me, I think I would rather die than give it up."

"Are you suggesting I die?"

"No," Nico frowned. "You're too important."

Nora did not reply. She clamped her mouth shut as Hayden's presence began to invade her mind. She stepped aside and let Nico lead her to the car as they began their journey to the boat.

Everything okay? Hayden asked. Did you make it back?

Yes, Nora replied.

Good.

What are you doing?

Cleaning up the mess you made in my room, Hayden teased.

I'm sorry.

Please, don't be. I deserved it.

Nora leaned back against the car seat as Hayden's voice kept her nerves calm. She continued speaking to him all the way back to the island until Afet appeared in her room and Nora needed her undivided attention to hear what the fey had to say.

"Udara wants to know how your visit went," Afet said.

"It was okay," Nora lied. She did not want to keep repeating and remembering the heartbreak.

"So you want to be purified?" Afet asked quietly.

Nora nodded, "Yes..."

"Are you sure?"

The fey's question caught Nora off guard. She looked up and frowned, wondering why Afet looked so uncomfortable.

"The children..." Nora began.

"I know, I know," Afet nodded. "I just....I want you to be sure this is what you want to do."

Nora didn't know what to say.

"I owe it to your parents to look out for you," Afet confessed. "I know Udara means no harm but sometimes she forgets we're all beings with complex emotions that we can not just turn off."

"I understand...." Nora looked down at the space between the two as they sat on the edge of her bed.

"A fey's mark is very rare," Afet reached out and took Nora's hand. She turned it and placed her hand over Nora's palm before running her fingers along the girl's smooth skin, making the magic shimmer beneath the surface. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is," Nora nodded.

Afet smiled as they both watched the glow beneath Nora's skin settle back down.

"Afet," Nora looked up as the fey dropped her hand.

"Yes?"

"What will happen once I give up my mark?" Nora asked.

"I...I don't really know."

"Has it ever been done before?"

"Not that I know of," Afet shook her head.

"Do you think...." Nora felt her cheeks burn. "Do you think he will still want me?"

Nora was startled by Afet's sudden laughter.

"What a silly question to ask?" She said. "Nora, my love, the boy loves you enough to give up his life for you. All that happened before you two were even bonded. Of course, he will still want you."

"He wants to marry me."

Nora didn't know what compelled her to say that aloud. Maybe it was Afet's warmth that reminded her of Lidia. Or maybe it was just the loneliness in her heart that was desperately seeking for someone to calm her worried soul.

Afet's eyes widened as she beamed with pleasure, "I want to know all about him. What is he like? How did you two meet?"

"He....he's wonderful," Nora's heart fluttered, making her insides warm. "He cares about everyone so much. He has an amazing soul and a beautiful heart. He can be a bit of a dick at times but when he looks at me....it's like...He makes me feel things I can't even name."

"Wendlyn spoke about August the same way," Afet reached out and tucked a strand of Nora's hair behind her ear.

"Did she?" Nora wondered. "Did they really love each other? Or were they only married so there could be more vestals?"

"No," Afet shook her head. "They loved each other. When August thought Udara might not consider him for Wendlyn, he kneeled before her and begged for her hand. No one could refuse them."

Nora felt her eyes water, "I wish I knew them."

"They loved you very much," Afet said. "You were August's pride and joy. He would sing to you every night."

"Would they want me to break the bond?"

Afet's face slowly fell. Nora tried to catch her eyes as the fey looked away and peered at the dark skies outside.

"No," she said, her voice a little too quiet. "But they would understand. Both of your parents had a strong sense of duty. They would be very proud of what you are doing."

Nora lowered her gaze and looked at her hands. She ran her finger over her wrist and watched the blue light underneath.

"I will never let anything hurt you, Nora," Afet placed her hand over Nora's knee. "The night your mom left to find your dad, she left you with me. I promised her I would look after you. And I'm going to keep that promise to my best friend."

_________________________

The next morning, the preparations for the purification were started.

At dawn, Nora was woken by to bath in the first ray of sunlight. She was draped in white cloth as Afet walked her into the cold water and lowered her as if she was being bapthized. The water felt like a thousand needles in her skin as Nora bit down on her tongue and tried to control her shivering.

After the bath, Nora was taken down to the underground halls of the fortress and asked to sit on a pile of logs neatly arranged on a platform. Her heart started to beat out of her chest as her eyes watered and she opened her mind-link.

Hayden, are you there? She asked, her breathing increasing.

I'm here, Hayden said.

It's happening, Nora looked around the room as the women in white dresses arranged flowers and herbs all around her.

Udara stood by the door along with Afet, Nico and Arsenio. They all wore white, almost blending in with the walls.

Nora, I love you, Hayden said. Always and forever.

Nora shut her eyes to keep the fear and pain at bay.

Hayden, I....

Nora couldn't find the words in her mind that conveyed what was in her heart. They had all been said before by millions of others. How was she going to possibly make him understand how he made her feel?

I know, Hayden said, easing her mind.

You do? Nora asked.

Yes, Hayden said. I know.

Nora opened her eyes as one of the women poured holy water over her feet. Her throat dried up and her chest began to ache as another woman slowly unwrapped her from the white cloth. Nora looked up and spotted Arsenio and Nico stepping out of the room as Afet bought Udara a golden goblet.

"Do not get up until the flames have all died," the woman said to Nora as she stripped her.

"What if it hurts?" Nora asked.

"It won't," the woman said, stepping back.

Nora crossed her ankles and brought her knees to her chest. She moved her long hair over her shoulders to cover herself as the women all pulled back, leaving her alone on the logs.

Udara stepped forward and lowered the goblet, spilling out a slither of flame that seemed to move like water.

Nora's breathing labored as she looked around in panic. She squeezed her knees, feeling her chest threaten to collapse from the pressure inside. Hayden's presence in my mind made her remember everything was real and she couldn't wake up from it as if it was a bad dream.

Nora, what's happening, Hayden asked, sensing her panic.

Nora couldn't respond as she watched the pale blue flames eat away the logs and rush towards her from all directions. She looked up with fear in her eyes as Udara stepped back.

"Wait!" Nora reached for the fey.

"Relax, Nora," someone said. "The flame won't hurt you."

"No, no," Nora shook her head, crying. "Wait! Don't go!"

But they didn't listen.

Nora watched helplessly as everyone exited the room, leaving her sitting in the middle of a pile of burning logs. The smoke began to fill the air, making Nora's eyes burn. She looked around as the flames ran towards her from all directions.

Nora! Hayden shouted her name in panic. What's going on? Tell me you're o-

As the first spark of Olympian flame touched her skin, Nora felt her mind-link shut off.

"No, no," she began to cry out.

Nora began to feel the heat of the flames against her skin. She looked down and realized her legs had been swallowed by the leaping blaze. It consumed her as if she was gasoline.

The flame did not burn her. It did not scar her or cause any kind of pain. Instead, Nora felt waves of heath roll over her body and skin as if she was laying in the sun. The raging fire danced over her skin, like wind on a spring morning. They leaped up to her face and ran up her locks, tickling the back of her neck and caressing her shoulders.

Nora let go of a breath as her body began to feel extremely exhausted. She slowly laid down on the logs, fighting herself to keep her eyes open. The flames flew across her face and covered her as the log beneath her crumbled and turned to ashes.

Hayden, Nora called out the half jinn.

All she heard was the sound of the fire crackling and the wood breaking.

Nora did not know how long the flames burned. She thought she saw Afet and Udara peek into the room a few times through the flames but she couldn't be sure. Her mind felt numb, stuck in a haze of cloud and smoke. Nora laid on her side with her knees pulled to her chest. Whenever she cried, the flames touched her tears and sizzled up in rage. By the time the last flame died out, Nora was sure she had no more tears to cry.

With the sound of the fire gone, Nora slowly sat up in the deafening silence. Her body was covered in ash as she leaned over and touched some of it with her trembling fingers.

Everything was too still. Nora couldn't even tell what time of day it was. She knew she should call out to Afet or Udara and let them know the flames had died, but there was something more important she had to do first.

With a trembling hand, Nora ran her fingers over her ash covered wrist.

The holiness that answered back to her made Nora scream out in pain. She began to claw at her wrist as her eyes filled with tears.

"No," Nora let out a painful cry as she fell against the ashes.

Hayden! Nora tried to open her mind-link but there was nothing for her to reach out to.

Nora knew this was what she had willingly signed up to do. But somewhere in her madness, she had hopes of her mark staying in its place. She knew it was foolish for her to hope for such a thing but she couldn't reason with herself anymore.

The emptiness that had settled inside of her made her want to keep burning in the flame. She wanted to rip her chest open and fill it with the ash if it meant she would have something to make her feel whole and complete.

As Nora laid on the floor, the door slowly opened. Udara and Afet rushed in, creating a trail through the rubble to get to where the girl laid on the floor.

"Get up, my love," Afet said, draping a blanket over Nora's shoulders. "Let's go. Up, up, darling."

Nora had no strength. She let Afet pull her to her knees and hold her against her body as Udara took her wrist and checked for her mark. From the corner of her eyes, Nora watched Udara look up at Afet and shake her head.

Afet let out a shaky breath as she leaned over and placed a small kiss on Nora's temple. She felt the girl shiver as her knees buckled and she almost fell to the floor.

"Nora!" Udara and Afet caught her together.

"It's okay, it's okay," Afet said, holding Nora up. "I got you. You're okay."

For the first time since they entered the room, Nora's eyes seemed to focus. She looked up at Afet and tilted her head slightly before her face crumbled and she broke down crying. 

It's done....