Nora's POV
The shrill ring of my phone cuts through my peaceful sleep like a blade.
"Let me handle it," James murmurs beside me, his voice thick with sleep. I force my heavy eyelids open just long enough to see him reaching across me. "It's Lena."
Panic shoots through my drowsy haze. I bolt upright in bed, my heart hammering against my ribs. Why would my sister be calling at this ungodly hour unless something terrible happened? The familiar weight of guilt crashes over me. What if the protection spell I cast is failing? What if she's having those nightmares about being shot again?
"Hello?"
"Hiiili!" Elodie's sweet baby voice floods through the speaker, instantly melting away some of my fear.
"Hi there, sweetheart! Why are you awake so early?"
"Inks! Inks!"
I glance at James, completely lost. "Hey Elodie, where's your mama?"
