Beside him, Lina slept on.
Her hair was loose across the pillow, one arm tucked beneath her chin. The steady rise and fall of her chest was soft, unbroken, each breath measured out like something that had never known interruption. She hadn't stirred when his awareness snapped into place, hadn't sensed the shift at all, lost somewhere in whatever dream had claimed her.
Jiang turned his head slightly and watched her for a brief moment.
I'll be quick.
That was all the indulgence he allowed himself.
