Darren's name flashed across Ashina's phone screen at 10 PM on a Tuesday, and her heart leapt into her throat. Three weeks. It had been three weeks since she'd last heard his voice just texts that were getting shorter and less frequent. She'd almost convinced herself he was never going to call, that she'd imagined whatever they'd had together.
Her hands shook as she answered. "Darren?"
"Hey." His voice sounded different. Distant. Like he was calling from much farther away than just another territory. "Sorry it's been a while. Things have been complicated."
"I've been worried." Ashina clutched the phone tighter, hating how desperate she sounded. "You barely respond anymore. I thought... I didn't know if you were okay."
"I'm fine." A pause. "Look, we need to talk in person, Can you meet me tomorrow?"
Her pulse quickened. "Yes. Of course. Where?"
"You know the old oak at the border between Moonlit and neutral territory? Meet me there at noon."
