He was still looking at her, his gaze sharp and calculating, that cunning, perceptive stare that always seemed capable of piercing straight through her defenses and into the deepest recesses of her thoughts.
Even though all she wanted was to continue on her way and avoid any further interaction, she found herself pausing despite her better judgment. Drawing in a breath, she cleared her throat.
"I never got the chance to say this earlier, but I am truly sorry about what happened to your father," she said gently.
"You know," Azul replied, expelling another slow plume of smoke into the cool night air, "you're the eleventh person to say that to me today." His lips curled faintly, though there was no real amusement in it. "He isn't even dead yet, and everyone is already acting as though he is."
Elka could hear the bitterness laced beneath his words.
"I only meant to offer some comfort," she rushed to say. "I apologize if I offended you."
