This was happening. The door swung open almost instantly. A short but sturdy, powerful-looking man stared at us from just behind it, his dark brown eyes scanning from Zane to Zoey. To me. They stayed on me, penetrating with an intensity that made hairs prickle along the back of my neck. After a long pause he blinked and stepped back, motioning us inside. He remembered to smile then, though his eyes stayed just as focused on my face. My cheeks burned under his scrutiny. “I’m Iris,” I said, though it was clear I needed no introduction. He nodded slowly, a few seconds passing before he remembered to reciprocate. “I’m Sam Henry,” he said, his voice booming, a shock in contrast to his initial silence. At that he finally broke his gaze, turning to look back over at Zane and Zoey. “It’s good to see you kids again. It’s been . . . it’s been a long time. Too long.” Zane put out his arm, and Sam latched on, shaking his hand.
