MORNING DID NOT ARRIVE GENTLY.
It crept in through the edges of the room, pale and cautious, as if it didn't trust her any more than she trusted it. Mailah woke with Shadow pressed firmly against her ribs like before, his warmth anchoring her to the bed like a living ward. For one hazy second, she forgot why her chest felt tight.
Then memory surged back all at once.
Grayson.
Seryn.
Fully demon.
She exhaled slowly, careful not to disturb Shadow, and stared up at the ceiling. The villa was quiet again, but it was a different quiet than the night before—less oppressive, more watchful. As if the house itself had shifted into waiting mode.
Shadow opened one eye.
"I'm awake," she whispered.
He flicked his tail once, unimpressed, and stayed exactly where he was.
Mailah smiled faintly despite herself and carefully disentangled her legs from the sheets. The moment her feet touched the floor, Shadow hopped down too, pacing her to the door like an escort.
