Gently, she laid the baby down and knelt before her, her hands stretching outward as strange lights of several shades flickered across her palms.
Her eyes closed as she muttered under her breath. When she opened them again, they glowed with an otherworldly light, her lips moving nonstop as the radiance poured from her hands and enveloped the baby.
By the time she stopped, her body swayed slightly. She was pale, her vision blurred, yet her gaze still held that gentle care and boundless love reserved only for someone dearly cherished.
"Finally… the last part of the ritual and the seal," she whispered. "After this, you must live well. Don't worry about me."
Her eyes reddened as she lifted the baby back into her arms, holding her close as though trying to imprint the warmth forever.
A menacing laugh echoed behind her.
She stiffened.
"How dare you?" The voice growled, and a shadow lunged forward.
My heart skipped a beat, a shout through my lips.
