“Miss Bentley,” he whispered my name like an invocation.

I gave him a warm smile, one that does not reach my ears but enough to warm the snow under his boot. He did not reciprocate that smile. Instead, he studied me with a pair of flabbergasted eyes as if he’d seen a floating headless ghost before him. “Yes, Mr. Esborne?”

Elliot immediately stood up and pointed a finger at me. Rude, yes. But he looks cute considering his youthful features. I’ll just dismiss it as a younger sibling's tantrums.

“Get her out of here!” He was now looking at Zarion, face blushing with raw anger. “Get her out of my...