Amara Cross POV
"Who are these two?!"
I pointed at them with my index finger in shock. I stared at the two kids standing beside Layla. Their faces looked too innocent. Suspiciously innocent. My eyes moved over their small faces, and my voice came out louder than I expected. It echoed off the walls.
Layla’s lips spread into a wide smile. Her cheeks lifted, pride filling her face as she pointed at them. "These are my older sister Ariana’s kids. This is Alyssa and Daniel."
I bent down toward them gently. My knees folded slowly until my face was close to theirs. Our breaths touched. The clean smell of kids soap wrapped around them. I waved at the boy and asked softly, trying to break the ice. "And you, what is your name?"
He lifted his small hand toward me. His fingers were still warm. Be
