The next morning, Damon woke before Ester.
That alone already felt like a small victory.
He remained lying down for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling while slowly moving the fingers of his marked hand. The lines left by Vorn had receded again to below his elbow. They were still there, darker near the wrist, but there was no pain and none of that sensation of something searching for a path toward his chest.
The call from Heshan, however, remained.
It was not strong.
It was constant.
A silent direction at the back of his consciousness, similar to the certainty of knowing where north was without needing to look at the sky.
Damon sat up.
"Do not even think about it."
He turned his head.
Ester was sleeping in a chair beside the door, arms crossed and eyes closed.
"You were awake?"
"I am now."
"So technically I woke up first."
She opened one eye. "If that makes you feel better."
"It does."
