“The sphere spun faster, collapsing in on a glowing orb of magic at its center. Before I could remove my hands, this all happening in a blink, the sphere began to melt onto my skin. It was burning as it slid down my arms like lava. I tried to break my hands away, already screaming in torment as I was locked in place, unable come free of the magics hold. The golden metal, once holding the glass of the sphere, and the blue light of the magic contained in the orb, snaked up my arms mixing together like two streams of paints, singing off my nerves, evidenced by my inability to feel my hands now.

My mind just wanted out, wanted the pain to be over, to not feel, as the magma like substance kept climbing me, consuming me. I gulped down a heavy breath as the metal and magic climbed up my throat, then over and into my mouth as I began to choke on it, my screams becoming muffled. I felt a single tear slide from my eye as I pictured where I’d been just this morning. Sipping a light cup of cocoa at my favorite café in Lotten, wondering when I’d ever get the courage to ask Nayehli to share a warm drink with me. It was so easy, so simple, and so stupid.

Fully encased in magic and metal, unable to tell time, to tell place—only knowing the wretchedness of every inch of my skin burning away, I felt the world explode around me in a bright light that rivaled that of the sun.

Then there was nothing.

Then there was peace.”