Chapter 49 - Ember's Question

The apartment was dark. The only light came from the streetlamps outside. They cast long, orange bars across the floor. Kaito sat on the edge of his bed. He had not turned on the overhead light. He did not want to see the room clearly. He had returned from the water tower an hour ago. His body felt heavy. The adrenaline from the night watch had faded. Now there was only the ache in his muscles. The throb in his shoulder. The weight behind his eyes. He leaned forward. He rested his elbows on his knees. He stared at his hands. They were still. They looked like normal hands. They did not look like the hands of someone who held gates to other worlds. The cards lay on the desk. They were arranged in a semi circle. Most were dark. One was glowing faintly. The Seven of Hearts. Kaito did not move. He did not summon her. She came anyway.