Clear the Air

A short time later, Emory and I were walking slowly along the grassy land, away from the picnic. Ahead of us the forest loomed, two or three trails leading into the trees.

Behind us, two looming men with reluctant faces strode in our wake, leaving enough space that they couldn't hear our whispers.

Not that we were doing much whispering yet.

Emory seemed to be waiting for me, and I wasn't sure how to start.

She looked beautiful today. Her copper-colored hair shining and her creamy cheeks pinked by the warmth of the sun.

In the end, she threw me a bone.

"I'm glad that you wanted to talk," she murmured quietly with a quick glance behind her at our Defenders. "I was growing afraid that I had offended you."

I sighed heavily and shook my head. "No. Not exactly. I mean… it was hard to learn… learn that you'd lied to me about that day when you said you were sick. But I get it, because I had to cover up for stuff too."

She nodded.