Cal smoothed her hair back and put a glass of water to her lips. “Take a sip, darlin’.” From the door, Sebastian asked, “Why is it taking so long for her?” He put the glass back on the nightstand and looked at his nephew. Twenty-four hours was the normal length of time for the final stage of Awakening. They were at hour thirty-two and counting. “I don’t know.” Cal looked at her again, noting how dull the green of her eyes had become, and the fact that the gold ring was quiescent around her pupils. He checked her temperature. Her skin was dry and papery feeling under his palm and she was still too hot. Sebastian left the doorway. “How is she?” “No change.” Morgan had been in this state for over twenty-seven hours. “You look awful, uncle.” “Thanks.” Cal stretched and scrubbed a hand over his cheeks, feeling the stubble.
