As Ethan strode across the room, Lily sat at the kitchen island, absently stirring her tea. His jaw was clenched in irritation as he held his phone up to his ear. He was stiff, and tense, like he was preparing for a battle, and she had seen him like this before.
She understood why after hearing Claire's explanation.
There was an impending event.
Ethan was trying everything he could to prevent it.
Ethan snapped into the phone, "I don't care what it takes." "Identify the person using the strings."
Lily watched him intently while biting her lip. He was excluding her once more, reverting to the icy, cunning side of himself that she had battled so valiantly to overcome.
She detested it.
He rubbed his temple and let out a long sigh as he finally hung up.
"Ethan," she began cautiously, "what's happening?"
