Melia's eyes flew open almost immediately. She was accustomed to being awakened quickly when sleeping in the woods. The urgency in his voice drew her abruptly out of her slumber, and by the time she looked up at him, Aeron was already taking a step back from her. Judging by the serious expression on his face, she knew even without having to hear him say it that the monsters he had warned her of only days ago had found them.
Reaching immediately for the crossbow near her sleeping place, Melia surveyed their campsite and saw nothing amiss. The fire was beginning to diminish, telling Melia just how long she was asleep. She felt a fleeting moment of annoyance at Aeron not waking her to take over the watch for the night. Then again, considering their current predicament, perhaps it was for the
