Cassidy
I barely remembered falling asleep.
But when I opened my eyes, the sun was already bleeding through the curtains—and someone was knocking at the door.
Not pounding.
Not urgent.
But steady.
Kieran stirred behind me, his arm still wrapped around my waist. His voice was a low hum against my back.
"Who is it?"
Before I could answer, a voice called gently through the door.
"It's Freya. I need to speak with both of you. Now."
Kieran sat up immediately. I followed.
Something in her tone twisted in my gut before I even left the bed.
We dressed quickly, the silence between us heavy, and made our way down the familiar halls. I could already hear murmurs behind the heavy doors of the meeting chamber before we reached it.
When we entered, they were already there—Orion, Damon, Alaric, Celeste, and Geena.
Everyone seated. Everyone tense.
Kieran's hand brushed the small of my back as we stepped inside—a protective gesture. One that didn't go unnoticed.
