Jesslynn stopped walking and let go of Alexander's hand to stare him straight in the face. "What have you been doing?" Before he could answer, his father appeared, and she turned her unhappiness on him. "Who is that man, Riley, Oren? Can he be trusted?"

"He's a friend of Jorick's," Oren answered.

"A friend?" Jesslynn questioned sarcastically. "I didn't think he was capable of friends."

"An acquaintance then," Oren said impatiently. "If he were not trust worthy, ...