Annie's POV:
Morning came too fast.
I'd barely slept. Maybe two hours, fragmented and restless, punctuated by strange dreams I couldn't remember when I woke. The swelling on my cheek had gone down overnight, but it still ached when I touched it, a dull throb beneath the skin that served as a constant reminder of Elena's fury.
I covered it with my hair, letting the dark strands fall forward over the left side of my face. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it would have to do.
Jack was already gone when I woke.
A note on the table, in Jasper's handwriting: Training. Will bring him back before noon.
I stared at the words for a long moment, then folded the paper carefully and tucked it into my pocket. Having Jack out of the house felt wrong. Every instinct screamed at me to keep him close
