What Lurks Beneath

Cassian’s POV

The phone buzzed on my nightstand, its glow the only light in the  dark. I almost ignored it, just another late-night problem I didn’t want to deal with. But then I saw the name.

Ava….we haven’t seen each other for years.

I snatched it up, heart pounding.

“Ava?”

All I heard at first was breathing, shallow, and uneven.

“Ava, what is it?”

“Cassian—” Her voice cracked on my name. “You have to come. Now. Please.”

That fear—real fear—made my blood run cold.

“Where are you?” I was already yanking on my jacket.

“At home. But don’t—”

The line went dead.

…

The night air hit...