The guy hunkered down, revealing the box he cradled in his hands.
The black wooden box was reinforced with metal at the corners, and it had a small bronze lock in the center.
What was inside?
Confused by Alec's sudden distance, I was about to ask when he cut me off. "I told you to just hear me out..."
Alec paused, gesturing, and the strange man obediently stepped aside, still bowing.
I looked back and forth between Alec and the odd man, utterly perplexed.
Alec came closer, taking my hand. "Leah, dear. I need to take care of something. I have to leave for a bit."
Now?
I thought about the strange man and figured it had something to do with him.
But why couldn't they clue me in? "But..." I hesitated.
A strange anxious feeling gripped me.
"Leah," Alec interrupted, his expression neu
