Ash's POV
The next morning came too quiet. I woke to the same empty half of the bed, sheets cool and undisturbed on Rowan's side. Relief hit first, then the familiar twist of irritation. He vanished every dawn like smoke, leaving me to wonder if he slept at all or if he simply preferred anywhere else to being near me. I pushed the thought away, rolled out of bed, and went through the motions: binding tighter than usual, hoodie up, boots laced. Safe. Invisible. Ready.
I opened the door expecting the empty hallway and instead found Devan leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed, looking far too comfortable for someone who had no business being there.
I frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Devan pushed off the wall with that easy grin of his, the one that always looked half-apologe
