"Mother, come see!"
The young boy was smiling up at her, waving his small fists in her direction. Callina smiled back at him and crossed the hall to join him. As she drew near, however, the boy's face fell. His skin turned an ugly shade of grey as he began to snarl.
"It's your fault." The voice was deep, warped, and it echoed all around the chamber. Your fault, your fault, your fault…
Callina opened her eyes, shivering from head to foot. Tears fell unbidden from her eyes and sobs racked her entire body.
Then his arms were around her, holding her close to his chest as she cried. He whispered sweet, calming words to her all the while, but she could hardly hear them over the voice still ringing in her head.
Your fault, your fault, your fault…