Kaidan's expression softened again, the haunted edge retreating as though he'd folded it away. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing in a more thoughtful, almost curious way.

"You say this Mia is your friend," he said. "What does she look like?"

Elowyn froze for half a heartbeat, pulse spiking. His voice was calm, harmless on the surface-but the question sliced sharp beneath it.

Her fingers tightened over the parchment, knuckles pale. The first image that rose-Mia's dark hair, her quiet laugh, ...