(Aurora's POV)
"Back off."
The voice came from behind me - sharp, flat, and carrying enough authority that even I felt my shoulders drop slightly.
Phineas crossed the courtyard in four strides, grabbed the man by the collar, and put him on the grass in one clean motion. He didn't say anything else to him. He just turned away, like the matter was settled, and crouched down in front of me.
His eyes moved over my face, then down to my knees.
Without a word, he slid one arm under my legs and stood up.
"I can walk," I said. My voice came out steadier than I expected, though there was still a tremor underneath it.
"Your knees say otherwise."
"They're fine-"
"Aurora." He said my name once, quietly, and started walking.
I stopped arguing.
Back in the apartment, Phineas set me down on th
