Sunshine.
He blinked open his eyes to see her sitting beside him.
"Good morning," she said.
"Evening."
She handed him a cup of coffee. Talon took a drink, expecting to cringe, but it was actually good. Very good.
At his surprised look, she laughed. "My parents sell coffee at the bar. I may not drink the stuff, but I do know how to make it."
"You do it very well."
She beamed.
Talon sat back in bed to watch her. "What did you do while I slept?"
"Worked. I have to meet a client and show him some pieces he commissioned. If he really likes them, he's going to give me a contract to supply artwork and murals for his restaurant chain."
"Really?" he asked, impressed by the news.
Her eyes glowed with excitement, her cheeks pinkened. He could tell it meant a lot to her. "If I get the contract, no more stand at the square. I'll finally have enough money to open my own studio."
"You know, I could give you the money for that."
A sadness came over her. "So could my parents, but this is something I want to do on my own. I don't want anyone to hand me anything."
He well understood that. He'd spent most of his mortal life proving himself to others. "It never hurts to have help."
"I know. But it wouldn't be the same. Besides, I think it would be really neat to walk into a restaurant and see my stuff hanging there."
"Yeah, it would be. I hope you get the contract."
She smiled again. "What about you? What do you hope for?"
"I hope my cabin never blows apart in a hurricane during the daylight hours."
She laughed. "Seriously."
"I am serious. It could get ugly if it did."
She sat back on her heels. "You really don't have any plans for the future, do you?"
"There's nothing to plan for, Sunshine. I'm a Dark-Hunter."
"Do you ever think about quitting?"
"Never."
"Not even now?"
He fell silent as he thought about that. "If I could get past Camulus maybe. But..."
Sunshine nodded, understanding that stumbling block all too well. Camulus had laughed at her when she'd asked if he would/could ever forgive Talon.
"The earth will perish before I leave him in peace. So long as I live, he will pay for taking my son's life."
But she didn't tell Talon about that. She didn't want to upset him.