Inch by inch, the golden glow faded into skin and bone. Into a woman once more. Already, a white-tailed hawk launched skyward. But as the last of the glow faded, disappearing out through her toes, Aelin fell to her knees. Fell to her knees in the utter silence of the world, and curled onto her side. She had the vague sense of strong, familiar arms scooping her up.
