When a knock came from the front door, I turned from my couch with a frown and stood up, heading to it.

“Case!” Xavier exclaimed with a grin and cloaked his arms around me, his jacket tugging on his wide shoulders. “I'm back!”

I laughed in his shoulder and put my hand on his back. Glee erupted from my chest, but the subtle notion something wasn't right pulled at my heart. I let go of his wide torso and fixed my eyes on his face. His hair was longer than usual, there was dark stubble on his cheeks, and his face was drained of color. It was so cold and...