NANENI WOKE FIRST, startling herself out of what sounded like a nightmare. Ghian reached out the only way he could, calling out her name. She turned his way, but her breathing wasn’t back to normal before Sirin reacted to the commotion and opened his eyes as well. Telez opened his own eyes, but closed them again when Ghian signalled everything was okay.
He waved the teenagers close, reassuring them that there had been no sign of anyone. Sending them hunting seemed almost cruel, but it was best not to let any fear they might associate with the activity linger long enough to become real in their minds. And food would help everyone.
They’d barely left when Aalyan tensed in his arms, then twisted his head to look up at him. “Ghian?” he sounded confused.
“Yes, my love.”
“Wh... You’re here.”
