A twig snapped under my foot, gouging the tender skin as I raced through the dense trees, dodging withered branches and deadfall. But I couldn’t stop. The rushing of water drew me through the forest, calling me to that unknown place I so desperately needed to be.

Nyrah.

There was no other reason to be here—lost in this bit of nowhere—if not for my little sister. Unbidden, I screamed her name, praying that just this once, I would get an answer. But through the darkness, all I got back was st...