Bright streams of sunlight warmed Evalynn's face, pulling her from the darkness of her sleep. After a few groggy blinks, her eyes shot open, the hairs on her arms and neck sticking up as she scanned the room. Nothing. The room was still and it was only her and Kirin. Kirin was still asleep, her head still resting on Evalynn's lap. Much of the swelling on her face had gone away, though it was still puffy and bruised. Her forehead had two large gashes on it that were encrusted with dry blood and Evalynn could tell that they were going to leave scars.
Gently setting Kirin's head onto a pillow made of the balled-up tablecloth she'd used to clean Kirin up the night before, Evalynn stood up, groaning. Her body was sore, and her head ached, but she did her best to ignore the pain.
"I need to ch
