Page 95 of The Heart of Winter

I leaned my head back against the bench, something inside me growing—tightening—building.

Terror, panic, dread.

My eyes closed. My mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, one crashing into the next, until, very slowly, an image surfaced from the depths of my subconscious.

The interior of an airplane. Vivid. I had the distinct feeling I was in business class.

I turned to the right, and saw the face of someone I had never met before. Mint-green hair. Mint-green eyes. Staring at me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

And then—

A thunderous explosion!

In a split second, the entire cabin erupted into madness—screams, howling wind, the sound of metal splitting apart.

I understood.

A bomb had gone off.

A violent shudder ran through me. And then I screamed—I screamed so loud my throat burned, my entire body stiffened, convulsing as if I’d been struck by a seizure.

"WINTER!!!"

Aiden grabbed my hand from one side, Snow from the other.

"A bomb!!!" I howled. "A bomb just went off on the plane! They’re high above the ocean! It’s over—it’s over—oh God, oh my God!"

A raw, inhuman cry tore from my throat, breaking into sobs.

"My child! My child is dying!"

I lunged for Snow, clutching his shoulders so tightly I could feel his bones beneath my fingers.

"Save them!" I screamed, shaking him with all my might. "I’m begging you, Snow!!!"

But the only thing I saw in his face was pain, raw, helpless pain.

And then, suddenly—

Summer stood up, his lips trembling.

He moved toward me, fast, and his large eyes locked onto mine.

"I can try," he whispered. "But I can’t guarantee anything! I don’t know if it’ll work."

He reached out, grabbing my hand, and Aiden’s, in one swift motion.

"You! Grab your dad’s hand and mine!" he called to Snow, then looked at me and Aiden. "He is of your blood! It may serve as a lens to focus my energy."

I held onto Snow. Snow held onto Aiden.

Now all four of us were connected, forming a strange, yet unbroken, circle.

Summer lifted his face toward the sky and closed his eyes.

"Please save my child," I whispered, my voice shaking.

"Please save my child."

---