Tegan remained still. Lorian turned to look at her, then leaned over to open her side of the car door. He said, “Get out.”

Tegan unfastened her seatbelt and slowly walked toward the foyer. Lorian smoked and watched her retreating figure. He saw how her back was upright, but it also carried a hint of loneliness under the night’s shadows.

Lorian's gaze grew contemplative. He was overwhelmed by a sense of confusion. He found himself at a loss about how to handle and arrange things with Tegan.

It