Cast Out, Then Called Back

ome, and I felt a cough rattling in my chest. I'd spent the morning making their favorite dumplings, my finge

oisterous holiday sounds of the neighborhood. Ethan and Liam were in the living

container on the dining table. I didn't want to get too

ash of something in them, maybe concern, as he noticed my pale face and

ing at me. He gently brushed a stray strand o

gs!" Lily cla

icks, blew on it to cool it down, and hel

r me like that. When I was seven, I' d fallen and scraped my knee, and Ethan had carried me all

d brothers. T

n my own home. My gaze lingered too long, and Et

at?" he snapped. "If y

ess washed over me. I coughed, a deep,

sked, his voice flat,

spered, pressing

thern Lights soon," Ethan said, changing the subject,

dream. We had planned it for my 21s

I staggered, knocking over a vase on the side table. It sha

voice was sharp

ing at me with what I knew was fake

ate, silent plea in my eyes. This

ong time," I started, my voice tr

focus already back on cleaning up the m

changed everything, died in my throat. I couldn't for

e been meaning to talk to you. Lily's getting

eyes met mine. I kn

your room. It's bigge

looked at their expectant faces, waiting

something they

ice surprisingly stea