"Right," Alastor continues, biting his lip as he shoulders out of the way to avoid a trolley rolling its way down the corridor. "But really, what Nora did it means nothing, changes nothing. I still-"
With a vicious yet hurt snarl, I cut my palm across him, stopping his sentences short before he can finish it. The tension in the air is almost palpable between us then as the lights sink to a dark simmer.
"Alastor," I say sharply, retreating further back into Valerian's grasp, whose wary touch lands himself on my shoulder. It is clear from his lack of interference and the rigidity of his body against mine that this tension is not something he desires to let fold out between us, but has enough respect for my wishes to let me talk my mind. Although this situation would be a lot less hostile had I said nothing at all.