When Willow woke up, it took her a few disoriented seconds to realize she wasn't in her own bed. The familiar coffee scent, the soft sheets, the dim light.... then it clicked. Navian's room. She'd agreed to stay the night.
With a quiet groan, she slipped out of the bed and stretched, her joints popping softly. Padding out of the room, she expected to find Navian asleep somewhere nearby and she did. But not like this.
He was sprawled across the couch, black smoke drifting from his body in slow, curling wisps. It coiled around him like living shadows, rising and fading into the air with an eerie calm.
Willow froze. The sight should've terrified her. It did terrify her but there was something mesmerizing about it too. He looked peaceful, untouched by the darkness that swirled around him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
