Mika slowly pushed the door open, stepping inside the home he was staying in as quietly as he could. His body wasn't exhausted in the way that came from fighting or running; no, this was the heavy, draining kind of fatigue that seeped into the mind after centuries in the lucid realm.
All he wanted was to collapse on the bed, bury himself in the sheets, and finally enjoy a dreamless, ordinary sleep.
For once, that sounded heavenly.
He tiptoed across the living room, careful not to make a sound. 'Charlotte and Yelena must already be asleep...' He thought, suppressing a sigh of relief. 'Good. I can sneak upstairs and crash without anyone noticing.'
But then—
"Where exactly do you think you're sneaking off to, young man?"
The voice was smooth. Feminine. Gentle...but commanding.
Mika froze in place instantly, his entire body stiff. He didn't need to look to know who it was, but dread still made him slowly turn his head.
