9.4

Kataya’s POV

After Dad left, I slept. It was the best sleep I had in a long time. I still wished I had the meal; he had my mouth watering over, but anything is better than nothing. Right? When we talked about the ritual, he gave me hope mom would let me near Linus. He is my baby brother. I wanted to bond with him, too.

Morning came before I knew it. I wasn’t awakened by my alarm, but by something — well, someone else. “Little one. You should arise now.” I stirred. Mumbling in my sleep.

The voice came again. “Little sun, you should learn to rise when I rise.”

My eyes shot open. The Sun God had spoken to me again. I checked my window. The sky appeared dark still, with a hint of orange on the horizon. I grumbled. “You’re not even up. I’m a growing child. I should get more sleep.”

The voice died down. I tried to drift back to sleep before my alarm went off, but another sound disturbed me. Walking to my door, I listened. M