C43 The Fall

The call came at three in the morning.

Isabella woke to the sound of Damien's phone vibrating on the nightstand, its glow cutting through the darkness like a blade. Beside her, Damien stirred, reaching for it with a groan.

"Thorn." His voice was rough with sleep. Then, after a moment: "What?"

She watched his expression shift from annoyance to confusion to something she couldn't name