Sage woke before sunrise, the massive bed in the Cahallan mansion swallowing her small frame. For a few blissful seconds, she forgot where she was.
She groaned and buried her face in the pillow. Three furry bodies immediately invaded.
“Good morning, you little criminals,” she muttered, voice still thick with sleep. A reluctant laugh slipped out.
She sat up and gathered all three cats close, their warm bodies a small anchor against the coming day. After yesterday’s chaos, she wasn’t risking anything.
“Listen up,” she whispered, pointing a finger at their innocent faces. Mochi blinked slowly. Peach yawned and Binx looked thoroughly unimpressed. “Today is my first real day of classes. I need this degree. I need money. I need freedom. So behave because I'm not leaving you here with those
