Morning came slowly, as if the sun itself was afraid to rise. Pale light slipped through the broken blinds of the safe house and rested on the dusty floor. The city outside sounded distant, muted, like it was holding its breath. Kai had not slept at all, and his eyes burned from staying open too long. He sat in a chair near the door, listening to every sound, even the smallest one.
Aria woke on the narrow bed, her body stiff and sore from the night before. She stayed still for a long moment, listening to the quiet and trying to understand where she was. Fear tried to return, but she pushed it down before it could grow. When she saw Kai sitting near the door, alive and watching, her chest loosened. She knew then that the night had not taken him from her.
Kai noticed her moving and stood u
