Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMPCPWH5KE48SKND6CZY8ZV

The three deadbolts clicked open in quick succession, the final one echoing through the narrow hallway like a gunshot. Rory stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes widening as she took in the unexpected visitor. Lucien Moreau, the Frenchman, leaned against the doorframe, his heterochromatic gaze steady on her. One hand rested casually on the ivory handle of his cane, the other held a bouquet of black roses, their petals as dark as a starless night. "Lucien," Rory breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. She hadn't seen him since that night, the one where she'd walked away, leaving him with nothing but questions and a shattered glass on the floor. Her heart pounded in her chest, a rhythm that echoed the memories of their past. "Rory," he replied, his voice as smooth as velvet, a stark contrast to the tension that hummed between them. He pushed off from the doorframe, his tailored charcoal suit shifting with the movement. "I apologize for the unannounced visit. I thought it best to... surprise you." Rory raised an eyebrow, stepping aside to let him in. "You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Luc." As he passed, she caught a whiff of his cologne, the scent of sandalwood and something else, something uniquely Lucien. It sent a shiver down her spine, a reminder of the nights they'd spent tangled together, of the laughter and the secrets they'd shared. The flat was a mess, as always. Books were stacked haphazardly on every surface, scrolls unfurled across the worn-out couch, and research notes littered the floor. Ptolemy, the tabby cat, looked up from his perch on the windowsill, his eyes narrowing at the intruder before he yawned and went back to his sunbathing. Lucien took it all in, his gaze lingering on the books, the notes, the cat. "You haven't changed a bit, Rory," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Still the same chaos, the same... charm." Rory rolled her eyes, but she felt a warmth spread through her at the compliment. "And you're still the same neat freak, I see." She gestured to the bouquet in his hand. "What's with the roses? They're not exactly... conventional." Lucien looked down at the flowers, as if he'd forgotten he was holding them. "They reminded me of you," he said, his voice soft. "Dark, beautiful, a little dangerous." He held them out to her, his fingers brushing against hers as she took them. A jolt of electricity shot through her at the contact, a reminder of the connection that still hummed between them. Rory placed the roses in a vase, her fingers trembling slightly as she arranged them. "Why are you here, Luc?" she asked, turning to face him. "After all this time, why now?" Lucien watched her, his amber eye reflecting the soft light from the window, his black eye unreadable. "I have a proposition for you, Rory," he said, his voice serious. "A job. One that could... benefit us both." Rory crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "And what makes you think I'm interested in working with you again?" Lucien smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that sent a shiver down Rory's spine. "Because, my dear Rory, you've always been interested in the things I have to offer." Rory felt her cheeks flush at the innuendo, but she held his gaze, refusing to back down. "And what makes you think I haven't moved on? That I haven't found someone else to... offer me things?" Lucien's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Because I know you, Rory. I know that you're not the type to settle for less than what you deserve. And I know that you're still hurting, still searching for something more." Rory looked away, her gaze falling on the stack of books by the couch. She thought of Evan, of the hurt and the fear he'd left behind. She thought of the nights she'd spent alone, the nights she'd spent wondering what could have been. And she thought of Lucien, of the way he made her feel alive, of the way he challenged her, pushed her, made her want to be more. She turned back to him, her expression guarded. "What's the job, Luc?" Lucien reached into his pocket, pulling out a small envelope. He held it out to her, his fingers brushing against hers again as she took it. "A client of mine has... lost something valuable. Something that needs to be found. I think you're the best person for the job." Rory opened the envelope, pulling out a photograph. It was a painting, a portrait of a woman with fiery red hair and eyes that seemed to burn with an otherworldly light. "Who is she?" Rory asked, her gaze drawn to the painting. "Her name is Morrigan," Lucien said, his voice low. "She's a... creature from my world. A powerful one. And she's gone missing." Rory looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. "And why do you need me to find her?" Lucien hesitated, his gaze flicking away from hers. "Because, Rory, she's not the only one who's gone missing. There are others, humans with... abilities. They've disappeared, and I think it's connected. I think Morrigan is the key to finding them." Rory looked back at the painting, her mind racing. She thought of the nights she'd spent researching, the nights she'd spent trying to understand the world beyond her own. She thought of the things she'd seen, the things she'd experienced, the things she still didn't understand. And she thought of Lucien, of the way he made her feel, of the way he challenged her, pushed her, made her want to be more. She looked up at him, her expression determined. "I'll do it," she said, her voice steady. "I'll find her, Luc. I'll find Morrigan." Lucien smiled, a genuine smile that lit up his eyes and sent a warmth spreading through Rory. "I knew you would, Rory," he said, his voice soft. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the challenge." Rory rolled her eyes, but she felt a smile tugging at her lips. "And what do I get out of this, Luc? Besides the satisfaction of a job well done?" Lucien's smile turned predatory, his gaze holding hers. "Whatever you want, Rory," he said, his voice low. "Whatever you want, I'll give it to you." Rory felt her heart pound in her chest, her breath coming faster as she held his gaze. She thought of the nights they'd spent together, of the way he'd made her feel, of the way he'd challenged her, pushed her, made her want to be more. She thought of the things she still wanted, the things she still needed, the things she still hadn't found. She took a deep breath, her decision made. "Alright, Luc," she said, her voice steady. "Let's find Morrigan." As Lucien reached out to shake her hand, his fingers brushing against hers, Rory felt a spark ignite between them, a promise of things to come. She knew it wouldn't be easy, she knew there would be challenges, obstacles, dangers. But she also knew that with Lucien by her side, she could face anything. She could be anything. She could be more. And as she looked into his heterochromatic eyes, she knew that this was only the beginning. The beginning of a new journey, a new adventure, a new chapter in their story. And she couldn't wait to see what came next.