Chapter 26

Avery

I woke before my usual time, which surprised me. Normally I had to drag myself from sleep, already exhausted before the day began. But this morning my eyes opened to pre-dawn grey, and instead of the familiar dread, there was something lighter.

Before Maya stirred, I slipped to the bathroom with the small vial I'd prepared last night—an improved version of the scent-masking mixture, adjusted