Chapter 64

Victoria "Something's happening," I managed to whisper before consciousness slipped away completely. I floated in darkness for what felt like both seconds and eternity. Then, light—soft, green, filtered through leaves. I stood in a forest clearing I'd never seen before yet recognized bone-deep. The trees here were ancient, their trunks wider than cars, their canopies creating a cathedral of leaves hundreds of feet above. "My beautiful daughter." I turned toward the voice, and my heart stopped. A woman stood at the edge of the clearing, her features so like my own it was like looking into a mirror aged by wisdom rather than years. Her hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her eyes—my eyes—watched me with love so intense it hurt. "Mother?" My voice broke on the word. She smiled, and it was like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. "Victoria. My brave, strong Victoria." I tried to run to her, but my feet wouldn't move. "Is this real? Or am I dreaming?" "Both," she answered, her vo