The room was warm.
Too warm.
Kade opened his eyes to golden light bleeding in through slatted windows. A humming fan overhead. Dust in the sunlight like it was dancing.
But he didn’t remember falling asleep here.
He didn’t even remember this place existing.
A soft sigh broke the silence.
Then her voice.
> “You're late again.”
He turned.
She sat at the edge of a mattress laid out on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees. Her long black hair spilled down her back like ink. And those eyes—
Not crimson.
Not yet.
Just... brown.
Gentle. Mocking. Tired.
> “You always miss the morning light,” she said. “I keep telling you, this is the best part.”
He stared.
“Who are you?”
She blinked. Then smiled like he was joking.
> “Kade… seriously?”
> “It’s me.”
> “Asha.”
