The penthouse level corridor remained dim beneath recessed amber lighting while rainwater crawled slowly across the towering glass panels overlooking the sleepless city below Artemis Tower.
Galathea Brooks stepped out of the greenhouse slowly with one arm wrapped tightly around herself beneath one of Cael's oversized shirt. Moisture from the greenhouse humidity still clung faintly to her skin while the scent of wet soil followed her into the colder corridor air.
The silence hit immediately afterward.
Not peaceful.
Empty.
Her steps slowed near the center of the corridor before stopping completely.
Tansy's words still echoed quietly through her chest.
Go to him, Mother.
Galathea shut her eyes hard.
The tears arrived anyway.
Not dramatic.
Not collapsing.
Just one sharp inhale that broke unevenly halfway through before she pressed trembling fingers hard against her mouth.
Gods. Everything inside Artemis asked people to give something away.
Tansy.
Cael.
Seraphina.
