It happened exactly forty-five minutes after breakfast, while Eleanor was sitting in her favorite chair with her knitting... something elaborate and purple that she had been working on since she arrived... and Lucas was in the study probably talking to the ficus. I was reading one of the books from my library, the secret rainbow bookshelf that Sophie had declared was "the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen," and the penthouse was quiet and peaceful.
Then Eleanor looked up from her knitting and called out toward the study. "Young man. What was your name again?"
The penthouse went silent. I looked up from my book, and Lucas appeared in the study doorway with his expression carefully neutral and his posture perfect. His ears were their normal color, but I could see the slight tension in his jaw.
"Lucas Grey, Mrs. Chen. We've met several times."
"Have we? I don't remember." Eleanor squinted at him. "You look familiar. Are you Vivian's young man?"
