When Mara finally returned to the living room, she was mildly surprised to find that Mel was nowhere in sight and Leo was eating his meal. She wanted to ask him if he knew where that Mel of a fellow had gone, but she quickly thought better of it. Such a question would surely annoy him since she had already told him earlier that Mel's presence was not his business.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat and moved closer to him, but Leo just went on eating as if he hadn't heard her. A chill ran down Mara's spine. She knew she deserved this treatment, but what made her feel like...