Smoke and Secrets

When Aria woke up again, Alaric was already gone.

If it weren't for the note he'd left on the nightstand, Aria couldn't help but wonder if it had all just been a dream.

The note was short and simple: "Wait for me."

Aria's gaze lingered on the note for a long time before she finally looked away.

She tucked the note between the pages of a book nearby.

Throwing off the covers, Aria got out of bed and