Alexa looked back at Klaus, feeling so cold that she shivered and hugged herself. At the same time, she felt a strange tingling in her body, and in desperation, she looked at the cracks in the door, where the first lights of dawn entered.
As much as that horrible revelation was shocking and painful, Alexa threw herself into Klaus' arms, and he held her tightly, smashing her against his chest.
There was no time for words, or promises. Or even a kiss goodbye. Only the sensation of dissolving in his arms, as if it had never existed, as if it were made of dream stuff.
"NOOOOO!" Their voices mixed, not really wanting to let go of each other's arms. But the magic was much stronger than them.
ººº
Alexa woke up feeling the smell of smoke, and something small and light moving about her. Instinctively she took her hands to protect herself, and found the little feather ball!