Sephi awoke with a start. She looked around her living room to see her family around her, their peaceful slumber bringing a sense of calm. Zach and Thea were asleep in each other's arms as she sat on his lap. Chris was sleeping on the floor with a pillow under his head and a blanket draped over him and Cerberus. The behemoth dog was cuddled up to Chris, who had his arm draped around him as they slept. Darius was sitting in the chair across from her. He was awake, watching over the group.
“Did you sleep at all?” Sephi asked Darius, barely above a whisper as she sat up.
“I was told to watch over you and the others, my queen,” Darius told her.
Sephi frowned, “You did not answer my question.”
“No. I did not sleep last night,” Darius admitted.
“Darius, when Dee told you to watch over us, h
