Faira slowly relaxed her sword-wielding arm as the teddy bear spoke. She cast a suspicious glance between the two denizens of the house who apparently knew this new arrival. He seemed harmless and cute enough, especially in comparison to the horrors the mansion had thrown at her and her companions so far. And if he really [i]was[/i] trapped, another alley in this asylum, no matter how small and ragged, should be welcomed.
	“Mr. T.” She took a deep breath to try calming her nerves. She glanced between the bear and the stuffed animal still clutched in Alexandra’s arms, her brows furrowing. “How do you two know--”
	“This Collector character must like crowds.”
	The light, airy voice drew Faira’s attention back to the top of the stairs. 
	Soren leaned his elbow against the mystery boy, Nikolai at his side.  His suit jacket draped over his back, leaving him in an off-white cotton undershirt. His first two fingers kept the jacket in place by the collar over his shoulder, while Nikolai’s hands rested in the pockets of his dark jeans. Both looked the group below them over, curiosity shining in Soren’s duo-colored eyes.
	[i]They could be residents of the house,[/i] Nikolai thought to Soren, his even expression and mental tone unreadable as his brother straightened.
	Soren looked to Nikolai with a shrug. “The bear likes them. And who doesn’t trust a talking stuffed animal?”
	Soren sauntered down the stairs. Nikolai followed in Soren’s shadow, his eyes still grazing over the others below them and taking in the layout of the entrance hall.
	Faira took a cautious step away from the stairs, then looked down to Mr. T. “Are they with you?” she asked quietly.
	“Something tells me there’ll be time for introductions later,” Soren addressed the group as he neared the end of the staircase. “Right now, I swear I heard someone mention a kitchen and food. Don’t know about any of you, but I could eat a horse.” He whinnied in emphasis, the sound flawlessly horse-like as it echoed around the room.