Chapter 45

Avara POV

"Can we talk?"

"What about?"

"If you stop moving, I'll tell you."

I stop halfway up the staircase, twisting around slowly.

"I think we should clear the air about—"

I spin back around, trotting up the steps. "You have nothing to explain or clear up."

"You want to tell me why you've been ignoring Kels? And giving Landen the cold shoulder—"

"Kels?" I snap, words gushing out. "Since when is she 'Kels' to you?"

I throw a glance behind my shoulder. A frown strikes his face. 

"What, it's a nickname, Avara?"

I face him momentarily and my lips stretch stiffly, filling with poison. "It's like I said. You have nothing to explain. And neither do I. I'm just not in a chatty mood."

I go for the door. He grabs my wrist to swivel me around, forcing me to face him.

"Please don't do that again."