Aiden saw one spinning out of control from his peripheral, but try as he might, he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from the frosty blue stare that pinned him in place. Looking away seemed too similar to turning his back on a crouching tiger.

As Toby's stream of mocking laughter rang out, wafting through the air in the form of weaponized humiliation, Aiden sniffled. Planted his palms on the ground and lifted up from the awkward sprawl he'd landed.

Stop, he wanted to scream when he finally found the strength to tear his eyes away from Eric's. Wanted to leap up and snatch the personal artefact from his...