The quiet night passed, and morning arrived with gentle sunlight slipping through the curtains.
Nina blinked awake, her body heavy, but her mind already expecting to hear the clatter of dishes or the scent of her mother's cooking.
But instead, it was Leo and Luna who stood in the kitchen, already making breakfast.
Nina rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly, her voice soft and hoarse.
"Where's Mom?"
Leo looked over his shoulder.
"I don't know."
Luna didn't turn around from the stove as she echoed.
"She wasn't here when we woke up."
Nina frowned, her heart sinking a little. She opened her mouth to ask her Patron for help—only to remember, once again, that he wasn't there.
She closed her mouth, lips pressing into a thin line. Of course. He said it would take two days.
Still, something about the house felt off. She waited anyway. Her mother must have stepped out for something. Maybe groceries. Maybe to the neighbor's. Maybe—
