Descent Into Darkness

In the morning, a few hours after Nyrielle and everyone accompanying her had departed, Ashlynn sat with Heila and Jacques as they waited for the sun to break above the eastern mountains. A soft, rosy glow lit the sky, and the sounds of bright morning birdsong filled the air. 

At this point, Ashlynn had long grown accustomed to being awake to watch the sun rise. Sometimes, Nyrielle would linger with her as the sky grew brighter, but she always vanished by the time the first sliver of golden light appeared above the horizon. This time, however, the vampire had warned her that it would be dangerous for her or Zedya to linger near this waterfall at dawn, particularly on the longest day of the year.