Vespera's POV
THE KEY MUST NOT REACH THE ARCHIVE BEFORE THE ECLIPSE.
I read the message twice, hoping the words would rearrange themselves into something less alarming, such as a recipe or an aggressive shopping list.
They didn't.
The ancient doorway remained on the monitor, its carved symbols twisting around a dark opening. My wrist burned beneath my sleeve, and Damon noticed immediately.
"Your wrist." He said.
"It's attached." I said.
"Vespera." He said.
"Damon." I said.
Something restless stirred beneath my ribs. It wasn't fear, but the strange pull I felt whenever he stood too close, an awareness I was finding increasingly difficult to ignore.
I hated it, especially when his expression shifted from irritation to concern.
"Let me see." He said.
"No." I said.
"I'm not asking
