The way things were going, Emma wasn't entirely sure she wanted to get out of bed the next morning. Luci was curled at her side, trembling slightly. She reached out a hand to touch his hair and he flinched, but then calmed. Her heart ached for him, but whatever was going on inside his head, he wouldn't let her in. Cern had left for the night, which had also bothered Emma. She had come to rely on him so much that the absence was striking, and almost painful. Plus her Aunt was still rather unreceptive about the Innate thing, and the Hell Hound was providing an added complication. Emma sighed and rolled over. A tear escaped her eye as she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Bel, I wish you were here.” She whispered.
“Emma?” Luci murmured sleepily. “Are you alright?”
“Mmhmm.” She hummed, n
