The soft sound of knocking broke the quiet of the top-floor suite.
My eyes snapped open. My mind just shifted from deep sleep to sharp awareness in an instant. I lay still on the big bed in my Primus suite, staring up at the ceiling. Through the tall windows, the morning sky was heavy and gray.
I sat up slowly, resting my hands on my knees. My body felt fine, healed, and balanced. The small cracks that had threatened to tear my mana channels apart two days ago were completely gone, fixed by healing magic and my bloodline help.
Another knock came from the front door. I swung my legs over the edge of the frame, my bare feet hitting the cold floor, and walked across the living area. I didn't bother checking a mirror or fixing my hair. I just pulled the heavy door open.
