The ride back to the mansion was silent, the kind of silence that settles between two people who've seen too much in a single day. Adrianna leaned against the window, her eyes fixed on the trees rushing past. Alaric didn't say anything, but every so often, he'd glance sideways—watching her, worrying about her, knowing better than to speak too soon.
The car pulled up to the grand old mansion, its stone façade bathed in moonlight. Adrianna pushed open the door and stepped out before the engine had even quieted. Her body was tired, but her mind was louder than ever.
"I'm going to my room," she said softly, her voice barely carrying across the night air. "I need to... clear my head."
"You've been sleeping with one eye open since the night you came back," Alaric replied, leaning against the car door without moving. "You think I don't notice?"
Adrianna turned slightly, giving him a tired look. "I don't need babysitting."
