Chapter 13: A Mother’s Farewell

I looked at the Foster River. The river churned and roiled.

Suddenly, I remembered—before my mother fell, she and all the powerful ones in the family forcibly drew out nearly all of my power. I cried from the pain. Mother stroked my face.

“Zoe, today our family will hold Foster together with our lives. From now on, the world will remember the great kindness of the Foster family.”

“You may roam wherever you wish.”

“This power is too much; for the world, it’s a hidden danger.”

“Mother can’t leave this danger behind.”

“Zoe, live well with the unicorn egg.”

“President Quincy is a good man; he will treat you well.”

Her voice had been soft but steady, the kind of words passed down like a faded photograph, meant to comfort but always heavy with expectation.