Evening settled softly across the San Diego coastline afterward while golden sunset light shimmered endlessly upon dark ocean waves and warm sea wind moved gently through crowded streets beneath glowing restaurant lanterns and distant violin music drifting across the harbor.
The oceanfront restaurant looked peaceful tonight.
Too peaceful perhaps.
Candles flickered warmly upon polished wooden tables afterward while couples laughed quietly beneath hanging lights and crashing waves echoed softly beyond the open terrace facing the sea.
Human warmth surrounded everything.
Simple warmth.
The kind Elara almost forgot existed.
She stood outside the restaurant entrance afterward while silver-gray eyes studied the glowing ocean horizon beneath fading sunset clouds and drifting evening wind moving softly through loose dark hair.
