Run: 2026-02-19-01KHT04HM7FPAH61N5XK9W254D

Aurora stood in the cramped kitchen of Eva's flat, the scent of curry wafting through the open window. She stirred a pot of lentils, her mind drifting to the stack of bills on the counter. The tabby cat, Ptolemy, lounged on a pile of books, his tail flicking lazily. A sudden knock shattered the quiet. She wiped her hands on a dish towel, glancing at the door. “Who the hell?” she muttered, her brow furrowing. She approached the door, her heart quickening. The last person she expected to see was Lucien. They hadn’t spoken since that night in the bar, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Another knock, more insistent this time. “Rory, open up!” His voice, smooth and commanding, sent a shiver down her spine. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the doorknob. Memories flooded back—his laughter, the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke, the warmth of his presence. But the hurt lingered, a bitter taste in her mouth. “Rory!” She took a breath, steeling herself. With a swift motion, she swung the door open. Lucien stood there, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, his platinum blond hair slicked back. One hand rested on the ivory-handled cane, the other tucked casually in his pocket. His heterochromatic eyes—one amber, one black—searched her face, a mix of surprise and something deeper flickering across his features. “Lucien,” she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind inside her. “May I come in?” She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The flat felt smaller with him in it, the air thickening with unspoken words. “Nice place you’ve got here,” he remarked, glancing around at the clutter of books and scrolls. “Thanks,” she replied, crossing her arms. “What do you want?” He turned to face her, his expression shifting from casual to serious. “I need your help.” “Help?” She raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. “You didn’t think to call first?” “I didn’t have time.” “Right. You never do.” Lucien’s gaze hardened. “This isn’t about us, Rory.” “Isn’t it?” She stepped closer, the distance between them charged with tension. “You show up out of nowhere, and you expect me to just drop everything?” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.” “Important how?” “Someone’s after me.” The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. Aurora’s heart raced. “Who?” “Demons. They think I have something they want.” “Of course they do.” She shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You always attract trouble.” “Rory, please.” His voice softened, and for a moment, the walls between them cracked. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need you.” She studied him, the way his eyes flickered with vulnerability. Memories of their past rushed back—late-night conversations, shared laughter, the way he made her feel alive. “Why now?” “Because I trust you.” “Trust?” She scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. “You have a funny way of showing it.” “I know I messed up.” “Yeah, you did.” Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Aurora turned away, her gaze landing on the pot simmering on the stove. “Look, I’m not here to rehash the past,” he said, his voice low. “I need to know if you’ll help me.” She faced him again, her heart pounding. “What do you need?” “Information. I need to find out who’s behind this.” “Why me?” “Because you’re the best at digging up dirt.” “Flattery won’t get you anywhere.” “Rory.” His tone shifted, a hint of desperation creeping in. She felt the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his presence. “Fine,” she relented, her resolve wavering. “But this doesn’t mean we’re back to being friends.” “Understood.” He stepped closer, the air crackling with tension. “I’ll take what I can get.” “Just tell me what you know.” He leaned against the counter, his expression serious. “There’s a demon named Vesper. He’s been asking questions about me.” “Vesper?” “Yeah. He’s not someone you want to cross.” “Great.” She rubbed her temples, frustration bubbling up again. “What’s he after?” “Something I found. Something powerful.” “Of course.” “Rory, I wouldn’t have come to you if I had any other choice.” “Right.” She turned away, her heart racing. “What do you want me to do?” “Help me track him down. Find out what he knows.” “Why should I risk my neck for you?” “Because you care.” “Care?” She laughed, the sound bitter. “You don’t get to decide what I feel.” “Maybe not, but I know you.” “Do you?” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re still the smartest person I know. You always were.” Her breath caught in her throat. The way he looked at her, the intensity of his gaze, sent a rush of warmth through her. “Stop it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Stop what?” “Stop looking at me like that.” “Like what?” “Like you still care.” “I do care.” “Then why did you leave?” “Because I thought it was for the best.” “Best for who?” “Both of us.” “Right.” She turned away, her heart aching. “You always had a way of making decisions for me.” “I didn’t mean to.” “Doesn’t matter now.” “Rory—” “Just tell me what you need.” He hesitated, his expression shifting. “I need you to trust me.” “Trust?” She shook her head, frustration boiling over. “You lost that a long time ago.” “I know.” “Then why should I help you?” “Because I’m asking.” “Fine.” “Thank you.” “Don’t thank me yet.” “Just give me a chance.” “Fine.” “Let’s start with Vesper.” “Right.” The tension hung in the air, thick and palpable. Aurora felt the weight of their history pressing down on her, the unresolved feelings swirling between them. “Let’s get to work,” she said, her voice steady. “Together?” “Don’t push it.” He smiled, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension. “Let’s just focus on Vesper.” “Agreed.” As they began to strategize, the air crackled with unspoken words, the past lingering like a shadow. Aurora felt the pull between them, a magnetic force that neither could ignore.