Page 16 of Night Shift

Dawn.

For all of existence, I have answered without hesitation. Night yields because Night must yield. There has never been a reason to resist.

Until now.

Calliope is still looking at me.

I make a decision.

Five minutes.

Nothing more.

The horizon waits.

The stars remain where they are.

Night holds.

Calliope notices nothing.

She steps closer and rises slightly onto her toes, and for one impossible second I believe she might kiss me.

Instead, she presses her lips softly to my cheek.

"Good night, Erebus."

Every thought I have ever possessed disappears.

She smiles at what must be an extraordinary expression on my face, then climbs the steps and unlocks the door.

"Tomorrow?"

I recover enough to answer.

"Always."

She disappears inside.

I remain on the sidewalk, staring at the closed door while the warmth of her mouth lingers impossibly against my skin.

Only then do I release my hold.

Far beyond Blackthorn Bay, the first thin edge of morning breaks across the horizon.

Five minutes late.

An inconsequential amount of time to almost anyone.

But Night has never been late.

I should be concerned.

Instead, I touch my fingers to my cheek and smile.

Tomorrow suddenly feels very far away.

CHAPTER 4