Victoria wrapped her arms around herself as if to stave off a cold that followed only her as he voiced her thoughts. She felt something wet just above her elbow, and moved her hand. A thin smear of red dusted her fingertips from the shallow scratches Nyaira’s nails had made below her short sleeve. 
	She replaced her hand, avoiding the cuts, and glanced behind her at the chair when he gestured to it. She did not sit.
	Victoria shook her head at his question with a nearly inaudible, “No,” directed at the floor. Even if she thought her stomach could keep anything down, she had no intention of accepting food or drink from a stranger, let alone one who was a supernatural, no matter how nice he seemed.
	Victoria glanced up when he waved his hand, making the smoke disperse.
	“Who are you?” she asked again. “How do you...” She swallowed and bit her bottom lip, her gaze falling again to the floor. “How do you know Alex?” she finished quietly, casting him a quick suspicious glare.