"Are you alive or is this your ghost calling me?" Nessa's voice blasted through the phone the second Emerald answered.
"Uhmm… good morning to you, too, cousin."
"I heard about the crash. You okay? Tell me you're not walking around with glass sticking out of your ribs or something."
Emerald sighed, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear as she adjusted the clasp on her belt. "I'm fine. A few bruises that have already healed, that's all."
"Liar," Nessa replied immediately. "I can hear it in your voice. Something's off."
Emerald paused. "I just… I don't have time to talk about it now. The summit officially starts today. I need to be ready."
"Yeah, I figured. Just… promise me you'll be careful? I've got a weird feeling."
"You and me both."
"Seriously, Em. You've got that tone. Like something's coming."
"It is," Emerald whispered. "And I don't think I can stop it."
A silence passed. Then Nessa cleared her throat. "Alright. You need backup, you call me. You hear?"
