Morning arrived not with a sunrise, but with a slow, purplish clearing of the darkness. The storm had retreated to a low, sullen drizzle, leaving behind a coastline that looked as if it had been chewed up and spat out by the Pacific.

Elias awoke before the first light touched the windows, his body numb from a night spent pressed against the oak pillar. The fire had settled in a bed of glowing white ash, radiating just enough warmth to keep the damp Oregon morning chill at bay.

He glanced at Cla