Morning Comes Quiet

Morning came without hurry. It sneaked through the shutters in thinslice white light. The fire in the fireplace had died away, and there were hot coals and a dull light of orange. Annabelle had awoke to the sound of breath. Axel rolled himself against Dani and their forehead was together. Ezra was sitting on the doorway, already awake, with his hands crossed, his head straight. He had not slept much. He seldom did so when danger had drawn near.

Annabelle sat up slowly. Her ...