Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMPCER2T3T5NBVZAWSS5VNK

The door to Eva’s flat creaked open, revealing a figure that hadn't stepped through those doors in months. Aurora's breath caught in her throat. Lucien Moreau, the Frenchman with eyes that could shift from amber to black, stood in the threshold, his platinum-blond hair slicked back as neatly as ever. The faint scent of his cologne mingled with the spicy aroma of the curry house below. "Lucien," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest, each beat echoing the memories they’d shared and the hurt they’d inflicted. He gave a nod, his expression unreadable. "Aurora." The weight of unspoken words hung heavy between them. She could see the tension in the way he held himself, the tightness around his heterochromatic eyes. This was not a casual visit. Something was wrong. "What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but her hands betrayed her, fidgeting with the hem of her delivery shirt. He stepped into the flat, his ivory-handled cane tapping against the wooden floor. "I need your help." Aurora crossed her arms, a defensive gesture she didn't even realize she was making. "With what?" Lucien hesitated, his gaze flicking around the cramped one-bedroom flat. Books and scrolls covered every available surface, a testament to Eva’s obsessive research. The tabby cat, Ptolemy, meowed from the top of a stack of papers, watching Lucien with wary eyes. "It's about Evan," he said finally. The name was a punch to her gut, bringing back the nightmare of her abusive ex. "What about him?" "I've received information that he's been spotted in London. Working with a group of demons." Aurora’s blood ran cold. "What kind of demons?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Mercenaries, mostly. Avarosian, like my father." A shiver ran down her spine. The realm of Avaros was a place of twisted shadows and dark magic. "Why did you come to me? Why not handle it yourself?" Lucien’s expression softened, just briefly. "Because I don't want you getting hurt. Not again." The sincerity in his voice cut through her like a knife. She remembered the way he had protected her, the way they had fought side by side. But she also remembered the pain of his distance, the way he had pushed her away when things got too complicated. "Why should I trust you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important. If I thought I could handle it on my own, I wouldn't have come." Aurora’s gaze darted around the room, landing on Ptolemy, who had jumped down from the papers and was now circling Lucien’s feet. The cat’s presence seemed to calm her, a small anchor in the storm of emotions brewing inside her. "Fine," she said, her resolve hardening. "What do you need me to do?" Lucien's eyes lit up with a mix of relief and something else—something she couldn’t quite name. "I need you to help me track him. Your understanding of the city, your connections. I can't do this alone." Aurora nodded, though the thought of being in close proximity to him again made her stomach churn. "Alright. But we do this my way. No secrets. No more pushing me away." He nodded, his expression grave. "Agreed." She moved to the kitchen, where a half-drunk cup of tea was cooling on the counter. She poured herself another, the warmth of the liquid soothing her frayed nerves. Lucien leaned against the doorway, his presence a constant reminder of the past they couldn’t escape. "So, where do we start?" she asked, taking a sip of her tea. "There’s a demon bar in Soho. It’s called the Abyss. Rumor has it, Evan’s been seen there." Aurora raised an eyebrow. "A demon bar? That’s a new one." Lucien smirked, the first genuine smile she’d seen since he arrived. "It’s not exactly a place for the faint of heart." "Sounds like my kind of place," she said, a hint of her old bravado returning. They spent the next hour going over a plan, mapping out routes and discussing contingencies. Lucien laid out the information he had, and Aurora contributed her knowledge of London’s hidden corners. The more they talked, the more the tension between them began to ease. It was as if they were falling back into a rhythm they once knew, a dance of give and take. As the plan took shape, Aurora couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie. Despite the history, despite the hurt, they were strong together. Complementary. She knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to navigate this new chapter together. Finally, they agreed on a time to meet at the Abyss. Aurora walked Lucien to the door, the weight of their shared past lingering in the air. "Be careful," he said, his eyes locking onto hers. "Please." She nodded, her heart aching with the unspoken words between them. "You too." He gave a small smile, his hand lingering on the doorknob. For a moment, she thought he might say more, but he just nodded and stepped out into the night. Aurora closed the door, leaning against it and letting out a long breath. The flat felt emptier now, the silence echoing the void in her heart. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for the first time, she felt a sense of purpose. A sense of direction. Ptolemy purred at her feet, a soft, comforting presence in the midst of the storm. Aurora smiled down at the cat, her heart a little lighter than it had been moments ago. "Time to get ready," she whispered, her voice full of determination. "Time to face the past and the future, all at once." She straightened her shoulders and walked back into the fray, ready to meet whatever came next.