*Lena*

Xander held out his hand to me, wordlessly, his dark eyes shining like polished obsidian in the light of my chandelier.

I didn’t question why he was here, in my room. The ribbon around my heart was tight, straining against every beat as I slowly placed my hand in his and let him guide me into the hallway. He didn’t take his eyes off me. His jaw was tight as he laid my hand along the curve of his inner arm so he could lead us down the hallway, ...