Raena stepped into the back alley, looking at the small group of disheveled children. The older ones showed a hint of reservation as they exchanged glances, but the younger ones were all wide-eyed and gawking curiously at her.
Just as she was about to speak again — nobody seemed brave enough to answer her the first time — their attention switched to something behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, not at all surprised to see Zen and Marden there. Zen’s cold expression was in stark contrast with Marden’s grin as he leaned on the doorframe.
“What are you going to do with these rascals?” Marden asked, glancing at her.
“Mister!” a little girl in the front of the group squealed. She ran to him without hesitation, hugging his leg and looking up with a hopeful expression. “Do you have more
