The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand shopping plaza, glass walls shimmering under the soft afternoon sun. Elisa had barely stepped out with Nyxella when the toddler began to wriggle in her arms, her small legs kicking against her laps as her curious eyes lit up like twin stars.
"Nyxella, no.. " Elisa began, but before she could finish, the little girl twisted, slipping from her grasp with the skill of a miniature escape artist.
"Nyxella!"
The toddler hit the ground running, her tiny sneakers squeaking against the polished marble floor as she bolted straight through the automatic doors into the main hall of the mall.
Elisa froze. For a moment, panic flared across her face. But before she could move, Nix had already gone after her.
"Great," he muttered, half amused, half exasperated as he took off after the little whirlwind.
