Dahlia's POV
The sharp buzz of my phone jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. I fumbled for it in my purse, squinting at the screen through the dim light.
Soren's name flashed across the display. My jaw tightened reflexively. After a moment's pause, I swiped to answer. "What do you want?" I didn't give him a chance to speak first.
The line went quiet for several beats. Before he could utter a single word, I cut him off again. "If this isn't urgent, don't waste my time."
Then a different voice filtered through the speaker, steady and measured. "Would you like to clean that burn?"
My response came automatically. "Yes."
The call disconnected, leaving me staring blankly at the phone screen. I blinked hard, shaking my head to clear the fog. "Forget it."
Troy's gentle voice broke through my confusion. "Burns can leave permanent scars if left untreated."
That's when I caught the sound of movement from beyond the front door.
Dorian's voice carried through the evening air.
