Beneath a sky choked black and surrounded by death, Fia walked.

  Her steps were sure. Her eyes never lifted. She’d seen the carnage a thousand times. Stopped being afraid after five hundred. Memorized the path.

  There were more important things to watch.

  Fia gazed down, drinking in the sight. Eyes shut peacefully. Round cheeks flushed with warm night air. Pink lips curled by happy dreams. She buried her face against the infant’s. Brown hair swept down as a curtain, shielding against chaos.

  Ten steps. Around her, humans and monsters rent each other bloody.

  “My beautiful girl.” Twenty. Kiss after kiss against smooth skin.

  “I’m so proud of you.” Thirty. One finger tapped the perfect nose.

  “I’m so sorry I won’t be there.” Forty. Her hand brushed tiny, curled fingers.

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  Fifty. Din of battle, dimmed. The heart of it all. Two figures, given space by the others. For who would dare approach?

  One formed of shadows and dread. Screaming in a thousand voices.

  The other… flame given flesh.

  Their bodies twined. Frenzied. Bloody. Tearing life from each other.

  Eyes like a dawn saw Fia.

  She knew. Didn't look. Had more important things to watch.

  “I love you. I love you.” Fingers traced the tiny pink mouth. “Oh, how I love you.”

  “Flee!” The command came as thunder. His voice shook the ground. He’d shouted it a thousand times.

  She’d never listened.

  “Flee, mortal!”

  Shoulders hunched. Back turned towards the fray. She knew how. Watched it again and again. Memorized the motion. Arms lifted. Lips pressed against wispy hair. A tiny heartbeat thrumming beside her own. The most precious sound there had ever been.

  Elbows down, to brace their fall.

  Fia closed her eyes.

  “I love you.”