The hours crawled by like molasses. I lay in the darkness, my eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Every sound felt magnified. The creak of the old house settling. The distant howl of a wolf somewhere beyond the walls. The steady rhythm of Damian's breathing beside me.
I counted the minutes in my head. One hour until midnight. Then thirty minutes. Then fifteen.
I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could. The floor was cold beneath my bare feet. I dressed quickly in dark clothes, practical and warm. The clothes Nessa had brought me. I tucked the small knife she had given me into my boot.
Damian stirred in his sleep. I froze, my heart in my throat. He mumbled something, then rolled over, his breathing evening out again. I waited a full minute before moving.
I crossed to the door and opened
