The claxon blared through the cool darkness of Melodia’s temporary quarters. Essen gasped as he flung the covers back from his small cot, his foot slightly cold from being on the floor all night. His silver eyes flashed around for Melodia, which left him with an uneasy realization. A few weeks ago, he couldn’t sit in the same room with her, now he searched for her like a lost boy. Essen clutched at his chest. What the hell was that creature doing to him?
The Cazadora was already awake and dressed in the regal black and gold of her order, a mane of pristine feathers around the collar. She jerked her chin up a hair, a small acknowledgement that she had indeed allowed him to sleep in and that he needed to get out of bed. He didn’t know whether to thank or curse her under his breath. On one hand, the extra sleep was nice, but he wouldn’t need it if she wasn’t dragging him along on her exhausting hunts. Essen clenched his teeth from the pain in his hip as he stood. It didn’t matter what he thought, he belonged to her now, however long that would last.