Chapter 26: The Inquisitor

She looked at him, scared and nervous, her face only inches away for his own. He stared into her beautiful blue-green eyes, now shaded with fearful shock, and he felt a sudden cutting conviction. 'What am I doing?' He stopped himself, easing off and pulling himself back from the table. "Sorry," he mumbled, placing his hand on the back of his neck awkwardly. "Quince..." she began, her eyes watching him. "No, it's okay," he told her, looking away. "You... don't owe me an explanation. I'm...