“I’m so relieved to hear that, Emerson,” the boy said. The woman stood up and glared at him.

“Call me Emmy, or call me nothing!” she yelled, holding the dagger in a more threatening way than she had been.

“Okay, okay!” he yelped. His ears flattened against his head. His eyes widened. He looked adorably pitiful. She lowered the dagger and sat back down.

“Sorry I blew up, Xavier,” she said quietly.

“Not that big a deal,” he assured her. “I’m used to it.”

“Used to it? How?”

“Uh….”

“Tell me!”

“No.”