The Hustle Begins

Kaelen gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw ticking as he stood in the dusty courtyard. He stared at Valerie, irritation flaring hot in his chest. She had just dismantled Giselle’s resilient act with a few blunt sentences about the bare wooden planks. He stepped forward, opening his mouth to defend his sister, ready to launch a sharp retort. Before he could make a sound, Valerie turned her he