For a second, he’s speechless. I count the creases as they appear on his brow—one, two, three. I smile encouragingly. His mouth spears down. “No,” he says, suddenly gruff. “You can’t stay.” With no further ado, he strides toward me, and I skitter out of his way. He passes me without a glance, ducking through the opening, and gestures for me to follow him.
