The young woman scrambled to comply, reaching for the ridiculous purple bear on the top shelf.
Ashcroft stood there in silence as they worked, jaw tight, expression unreadable.
What the hell are you doing, Nicholas?
He exhaled sharply, the corner of his mouth twitching with something between irritation and surrender. She’s going to drive me insane.
Not long after, Damien and Maya walked into the souvenir shop.
Maya stopped short, blinking in surprise. The shelves that once displayed rows of colorful magnets were completely bare.
“Excuse me,” she asked the staff politely, “where are your magnets?”
The young attendant froze, glancing nervously toward the manager—then at Ashcroft, who stood near the counter with his hands in his pockets, sunglasses dangling from his fingers.
“I—I’m te
