The man stepped farther into the alley, his presence smoothing through the tension like a slow, knowing hand. He wasn’t loud. He didn’t posture. He didn’t need to. Aiden’s entire body reacted to him before a word was even spoken.
“Aiden,” the man repeated, voice steady and unbothered. “You didn’t call me back.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened. “I was busy.”
The man’s gaze flicked to Maylen. Then to Lanry. Then to Clara hovering uselessly behind them. His expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted, sharp and curious.
“I see that,” he murmured.
Maylen felt Aiden’s energy change beside her. Controlled but uneasy. Tense beneath the surface. She had never seen Aiden look like this, not even when Lanry was in his face.
Lanry looked between the two men, confused and irritated. “Who is
