The shock on my staff member's face was enough to let the world collapse. He stood there, asif his mind hadn't yet decided whether to accept what his eyes were seeing.

I turned instinctively, my breath still uneven, my skin still warm from the closeness that had filled the room seconds earlier.

For a second none of us moved.

Then, Darius straightened himself and his calm returned like a mask snapping back into place.

My staff member’s gaze moved from him to me, then back again.

The air in the room turned painfully heavy.

"I--"he began.

But the words died.

Darius cleared his throat softly and reached for his jacket...