The morning sun had filled my apartment, pouring through the windows in bright, slanted beams that warmed the floorboards and turned floating dust motes into specks of gold.
Day one of the thirty had begun. The air felt warm against my skin as I stepped out, the read note was in my pocket like an unanswered question. The awakening was closing in fast, and my purpose was to stop it, but I was also a CGI agent who had to report for work.
I was locking my door, key turning with a soft metallic click, when voices drifted down from the floors above. I recognized Carrise's instantly, light, easy, familiar.
I had just reached the stairs when she appeared from above, heels clicking on the steps. Our eyes met and she smiled, bright and unguarded.
[Carrise Vale. Marked.]
[She feels attraction to no man but you. She responds to your direction.]
The text registered fast. Then my eyes went to the woman beside her.
