Isabella blinked.
Then shook her head. Fast. Frantic. "No. No-no, I don't know him. I promise—I don't know who that is."
Her hands even lifted instinctively as if she were about to swear an oath before a sacred tribunal. "I've never seen that man in my life."
Which was technically a lie.
But a necessary one.
Her gut told her that acknowledging him would be the fastest route to ruining her life. He was already grinning at her like a wolf who knew exactly where her den was.
Zyran didn't seem the least bit offended. In fact, his smirk only deepened, and his gaze never left her. He propped one elbow against the branch and rested his cheek on his knuckles as if this was his personal theatre and Isabella the star performer.
Don't come down. Please, just stay up there and leave in peace. She mentally begged the universe. Or struck by lightning. That worked too.
"Who are you?" Kian's voice rang out coolly.
