The guest room at the Brightsoul household was entirely quiet when Rex opened his eyes.
The room had transformed from an amber afternoon glow to complete darkness at some point. This darkness had a particular quality that settled into buildings several hours after midnight, when the ambient noise of the city had subsided to its baseline.
The window revealed a sky devoid of any visible moon. The guest room was modest, reflecting the practical use of a household that accommodated actual guests rather than serving as a showcase. The furniture was unadorned, and the bed was narrow enough that the two people sharing it were there by choice, not by coincidence.
Mireya was asleep beside him.
