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Asterion stood a few yards away, massive arms folded across his chest. A sheen of sweat glistened against the muscles of his neck and shoulders, but he appeared as composed as ever. His gaze swept from the phone to Korinnae, then to Ria. One corner of his mouth lifted into a disapproving smirk.
Ria could practically feel her blood pressure rising. Don’t. She swallowed the first dozen responses that sprang to mind. Instead, she met his stare with one of her own.
Neither of them blinked.
“Teaching her dances from your world?” he asked.
“There are worse things a child could learn.”
“Hmm.” That single sound somehow managed to convey an impressive amount of skepticism. His eyes shifted to Korinnae. “Shouldn’t you be checking her over?”
The reminder knocked the wind out of Ria’s irritation. Right. That was why she’d come outside in the first place.
She sighed and turned to the calf. “Are you ready?”
“I…guess.” Korinnae’s smile faded just a little.
“It’ll be quick.” Ria offered her an encouraging smile. “Promise.”
The girl nodded and slipped her hand into Ria’s. Together, they followed Asterion back toward the mansion. The massive minotaur walked several paces ahead, while Korinnae stayed glued to Ria’s side.
“So,” the calf began, “what other songs do humans have?”
“Oh, thousands.”
“Thousands?”
“Mm-hmm, millions.”
“Do they all dance?”
“Not all of them.”
“Can everyone in Korea dance?”
Ria laughed. “No.”
“What about your father?”
“He thinks he can,” she snorted.
“Is he good?”
“He would tell you he’s amazing.”
“And is he?”
“Absolutely not.”
Korinnae dissolved into another fit of giggles. “What about your mama?”
“Oh, now she can dance.”
“What about Hecate?”
Ria blinked. “I’ve…actually never asked.”
“You should.”
