When I woke up, the soft morning light was filtering through the heavy curtains of Carmen's childhood room.
The velvet drapes muted the brightness, but a warm, silvery glow still managed to seep in, bathing the room in a dreamy haze. For a moment, I lay there, caught between sleep and waking, trying to piece together where I was.
And then it hit me—I was in the vampire realm.
The thought sent a rush of wonder through me. I turned my head to the side, and there she was, Carmen, her bare back rising and falling steadily as she slept beside me.
Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, a stark contrast against the crimson bedding. She looked so peaceful, her usually sharp, determined expression soft and relaxed.
I couldn't help but smile, my gaze tracing the lines of her face, her strong jaw, and the curve of her lips.
