"Mira Ashvane," the woman continued, extending her hand to Alaric with the expectation of someone unaccustomed to not being received. "Third year. You're the exchange student. Azra, isn't it?"
Alaric looked at her extended hand. At her expression.
Evaluated his options in the time it took to draw one breath.
He took her hand.
"Yeah. Azra."
Then suddenly, Mira's fingers curled around Alaric's wrist in a light pressure but deliberate intent behind it, the particular grip of someone accustomed to getting what they reached for.
"Come on," she said. "Let me introduce you to some people. Connections made tonight—"
But before she could pull him away, Callista's hand closed around Mira's wrist.
"Are really better made without pulling someone away from their current company."
Mira turned and looked at Callista's hand on her wrist.
Then at Callista's face. Her expression shifting through surprise into something more pointed.
