Chapter Twenty-Three

MOTHER

With the Jackal destroyed, the impenetrable magic that surrounded Sarah Macleod’s cage faded away and Edward’s mother awoke from her long, enchanted sleep. She sat up in her cage and stared at the Guardians gathered around her.

Sarah noticed a majestic-looking Guardian nearby. He was crouched down over a small, crumpled body on the marble floor. The boy reminded her of someone. The Guardian stood and turned, and she saw who it was.

Tears sprang to Sarah’s eyes as her son approached her gilded cage. Edward beamed at her, his face radiant with barely contained joy. He reached into his pocket and produced the magical key that Cornelius had given him. In his panic earlier, he had forgotten that he had it. A lock materialized within the bars and he inserted it.

With a small click, the bars swung open.

Edward took his mother’s hand and helped her out of the cage. Sarah looked up at her son, taking in his dark hair and eyes, and marveling at the huge wings that hung from his shoulders.

She held her hands to her mouth as grateful tears cascaded down her cheeks. Every Guardian and mortal who had come to Edward’s aid stood in awed silence as the Bridge Builder and the Blue Lady stared into each other’s eyes.

A smile like a dazzling sunrise played on Edward’s lips. Gripping his mother in a gentle hug, he whispered, “Hi, Mom.”