Alice couldn't stop smiling.
It was small.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
Victor noticed immediately.
"You sense him."
It wasn't a question.
Alice quickly wiped the smile from her face.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Victor chuckled.
"You've never been a convincing liar."
"I learned from books."
"Apparently not the mystery section."
Alice rolled her eyes.
"You know, for someone holding me hostage, you're awfully chatty."
Damien coughed into his fist, hiding another laugh.
Victor shot him a look.
Damien immediately straightened.
"My apologies."
Alice looked between them.
"Does everyone here have emotional whiplash? One minute you're kidnapping me, the next you're making jokes."
Victor folded his hands behind his back.
"War has a way of making people ap
