Sparks, Skeptics, and a Stern Summons

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Jaxon Ryder's murderous glare from across the dining hall. His intensity was suffocating, even from a distance. When he finally broke eye contact and turned to speak to someone at his table, I released the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"What's his problem?" I asked Lyra, keeping my voice low despite the impossibility of him hearing me from this distance.

Lyra glanced over at Jaxon's table and frowned. "It's complicated. There are rumors..."

"Rumors about what?" I pressed when she hesitated.

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "About him and Rhys Warner."

"Rhys? The blonde guy from my transport?"

"That's him. They're... close. Nobody knows exactly what their relationship is, but Jaxon is extremely protective of him."

I thought back to the brief interaction I'd had with Rhys. He'd been friendly, maybe even flirtatious, but nothing that would warrant Jaxon's violent reaction.