31

~Tove

I wait only a moment until my feet are touching the fluffy snow outside the chalet before I'm running inside.

Slamming the door closed, I lean against it, calming my breath.

I half expect to hear a knock, or to feel the door being kicked down by the strange man with dual coloured eyes. Him running into me was obviously no accident...

Rushing through the house, I ensure every door and window is locked. I'm assuming that man had magic, which makes this pointless, but I feel safer this way.

"Tove...You've returned."

I turn around to see Keo lingering in the entry to the living room. He's home from his investigation into Vail's death, which couldn't be more of a relief.

Any fear about being followed back here vanishes. No one would dare tempt an altercation with Keo.

"I went to groceries." I tell him. He frowns, looking down to my empty hands. I must have dropped them somewhere in my attempt to get away from the strange man.

I quickly tuck my hands behind my back. "I mean, I got the