Right at the break of dawn, everyone had gathered downstairs.
Asher and Cassandra stood near the staircase outside Xavier's room. He had no desire to leave. Every instinct screamed at him to remain beside Xavier in case he woke up, but during the endless wait, he noticed something the others either couldn't see or pretended not to.
The attack had done far more damage than anyone wanted to admit.
The confidence was gone from their eyes.
They were scared.
Truly scared.
Asher couldn't remember the last time he had seen the squad look this shaken. Their expressions were hollow, haunted by something they couldn't understand.
At the dining table, Zander sat eating a bowl of oatmeal—a dessert Asher personally despised. Levi remained beside Grandma Peace, patiently trying to reassure her that everything would be okay.
The old woman wasn't convinced.
Neither was her daughter, Ariel.
Both looked like they were moments away from breaking down.
