Sleepy Fox Hollow The night is cold out there.

ava learned her headaches were like her shadow; ever present. 

at times they lifted enough that her vision was clear — or, really, as clear as it had been before. 

a dark figure stepped into the den. ava expected it was etienne — but she realized too late it was someone else. 

her back arched like a cat’s as he came close — his familiar scent trickling through the biting cold. 

john. ava’s back was against the wall now, and she watched him as an animal caged; distrustful and deeply resentful.