Isadora folded the last of her clothes into the satchel Adele had given her. The room was quiet except for the faint scratching of Marissa pacing at the edge of the bed. Her cousin's face was pale, eyes glimmering with worry.
"You're really going to do this?" Marissa asked for the third time.
Isadora tightened the straps on the satchel and lifted her head. "Yes. I've trained long enough. Adele says I'm ready. The portal will open, and I'll finally return to Veridion." Her voice softened. "It's where I belong now."
Marissa pressed her lips together, hesitation giving way to sudden boldness. "Then take me with you. Please. Please don't leave me here while you disappear into another world. I've seen enough—I know enough. You can't just shut me out."
Isadora sighed. She had known this moment would come. "Marissa…"
