Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMHKCNTNT1SEXDC0GPPDK8

Rory's heart pounded as she gripped the doorknob, hesitating. She hadn't seen Lucien in nearly a year, not since that night when everything fell apart. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open. There he stood, platinum hair gleaming under the dim hallway light, his striking heterochromatic eyes narrowing as they met hers. Rory felt a flutter in her chest — she'd forgotten just how devastatingly handsome he was. "Lucien," she breathed, barely above a whisper. "What are you... how did you—" "May I come in, Rory?" he interrupted, his low voice sending a shiver down her spine. There was an undercurrent of something in his tone — tightly controlled emotion, perhaps. Or was it simply an echo of the hurt she'd caused him? Rory hesitated for the briefest moment before stepping aside, allowing him to enter. As Lucien strode past her, the familiar scent of his cologne — crisp and woodsy — enveloped her, stirring up a swirl of memories. She closed the door, her fingers trembling slightly. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Rory asked, turning to face him. Eva's flat was in its usual state of disarray, papers and books scattered everywhere, Ptolemy the cat curled up on the sofa. She felt suddenly self-conscious, wishing she'd tidied up a bit. Lucien's gaze swept over the cluttered space before settling on her. "I need your help," he said simply, his eyes searching her face. Rory blinked, caught off guard. After everything, she'd never expected him to seek her out, let alone ask for her assistance. "My help?" she echoed. "With what?" "A delicate... situation has arisen." Lucien's mouth tightened into a grim line. "One that requires discretion and a certain set of skills. I've exhausted my other options, and you're the only one I can trust with this." Trust. The word hung in the air between them, laden with unspoken history. Rory felt a pang of guilt, remembering how she'd shattered that trust all those months ago. "I see." She chewed her lower lip, considering. "What kind of situation are we talking about?" Lucien's eyes darkened. "Something that threatens the balance between our world and the demonic realm." Rory's eyes widened. "Demons?" She ran a hand through her hair, processing this. "What could you possibly need my help with regarding demons?" "It's a long story," Lucien said, his gaze shifting away. "One I'd rather not get into the details of here." He took a step closer, his expression intense. "Will you help me, Rory?" Rory felt the air growing thick with tension as they stood there, mere feet apart. She could see the strain etched on Lucien's face, the subtle vulnerability beneath his usual cool demeanor. Despite the hurt and confusion of their last encounter, she knew she couldn't turn him away, not when the stakes were so high. "Yes," she heard herself say, the word leaving her lips before she could fully consider the ramifications. "Of course I'll help you, Lucien." Relief flickered across his features, only to be quickly replaced by a guarded look. "Thank you," he said, his voice low. He glanced around the flat once more. "When can we leave?" Rory blinked, taken aback by his urgency. "Leave? Leave for where, exactly?" "My flat," Lucien replied. "I have intel and resources there that will be crucial for this task." He paused, his expression softening ever so slightly. "And it's... safer than this place." Rory understood the unspoken implication — Eva's flat, with its limited security, was too vulnerable. And if demons were involved, Lucien was right to be concerned. She nodded slowly. "All right, then," she said, turning to gather her things. As she slipped on her jacket and grabbed her keys, Rory couldn't help but steal a glance at Lucien. He stood there, ramrod straight, his hands clasped around the ivory handle of his cane. She caught the faint lines of tension in his jaw, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor. Rory's heart ached with the realization that despite the awkwardness and unresolved issues between them, Lucien still trusted her enough to bring her into this perilous situation. It was a testament to the bond they'd once shared, a bond that, try as she might, she could never fully sever. Leading the way out of the flat, Rory felt Lucien's presence close behind her, the familiar scent of his cologne enveloping her once more. As they descended the stairs, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly they were about to get themselves into — and whether it would be the catalyst to finally confront the ghosts of their past.