“Meet me here again tomorrow. Same time.” “Wait!” Liska exclaims. Frustration sparks within her—at the Leszy’s sudden dismissal, at her own foolish attraction. “Stay with me.” He halts in his steps. “What?” “Stay,” she repeats. “You always leave like this, as if you’re afraid I may burn you if you’re with me too long.” He stiffens. She wonders if she is close to the truth, but she cannot tell—she never can, with him. It is only his evergreen eyes that flicker strangely, like the shadow of an animal weaving through a grove. “I’m sorry,” he says at last, hard-edged, and turns away. Liska does
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