Lilli Stone — Sara Elaine Violet

“I heard once that eyes are the windows to the soul,” Ranse spoke softly; his voice rich an' smooth like velvet.

“What do you want from me?” the words were out before I could stop them, an' against my will I found myself lookin' right into his soul.

“Don't ask the questions you do not want the answers to Lilli,” he warned me quietly.

I felt my heart leap into my throat at his implication.

“You ain't doin' nothin' unless I'm of an obligin' frame of mind!” I lifted my chin in defiance, though I felt less conviction than I spoke.

Ranse kept his eyes on mine, an' I saw flames begin to burn in them, but unlike any I'd seen before.

“Don't put challenges to me Lilli,”