But little did I know, back in my room, Tiamat was hiding in the bathroom.
I stepped out with Maria at my side, our footsteps soft and unhurried as we descended the stairs together.
The murmur of quiet voices drifted up to meet us before we even rounded the corner into the dining room.
The others had already gathered around the table for breakfast, plates heaped and cups sending lazy curls of steam into the morning light.
We settled into chairs side by side, close enough that the warmth of Maria's shoulder brushed mine, steadying me without a word.
Moments later, slow footsteps sounded from above, followed by an unapologetic, drawn-out yawn.
Lucy appeared at the bottom of the stairs, still half-lost in sleep, her violet pajamas soft and rumpled.
The top slipped slightly off one shoulder.
While the too-long sleeves swallowed part of her hands and the pants dragged faintly across the floor with each lazy step.
