Nick woke long before the sun began to brighten the horizon. The world outside remained enveloped in the quiet of pre-dawn, yet he could already sense movement within the house. His room was dim, with only slivers of moonlight filtering through the shutters to provide illumination. Talbot stirred beside him. As Nick shifted, the cat let out a disgruntled mewl, stretching out with lazy elegance before cracking open one starry eye in annoyance. Nick chuckled, already halfway out of bed. “Go back to sleep,” he murmured as he pulled on his clothes. “You don’t need to be up for this.” Talbot’s tail flicked, but he did not move. Who knew spirits like to sleep so much? Nick didn’t bother trying to be quiet. The expedition wouldn’t be leaving for several more hours, but Devon—Devon was leaving now. And Nick would be damned if he didn’t see him off. We’ve had our heart-to-heart, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be there as he leaves. As he descended the stairs, he was met with the sight of his entire family already awake. Devon stood near the door, adjusting the straps on his pack. Although he had always been strong, his frame seemed broader now and his stance more solid. He had grown a couple of inches in the past months, but Nick expected he’d be almost unrecognizable the next time they saw each other. Both his parents were pretty tall, and Devon had a frame that promised an oak-like build. (...)