Run: 2026-02-19-01KHT0F1EWGJPQ5B24934KHVKG

The knock at the door was soft but insistent. Rory froze, her hand hovering over the ancient grimoire she'd been studying. No one ever came to Eva's flat without calling first. The cat, Ptolemy, lifted his head from his spot on the couch, ears swiveling toward the sound. Another knock, slightly louder this time. Rory set the book down carefully and padded across the cluttered living room, weaving between stacks of tomes and scrolls. She peered through the peephole and felt her heart lurch into her throat. Lucien Moreau stood in the hallway, looking as impeccable as ever in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than her monthly rent. His platinum blond hair was slicked back, and his heterochromatic eyes - one amber, one black - stared back at her through the tiny lens. Rory hesitated, her hand on the deadbolt. They hadn't spoken since that night three weeks ago when he'd kissed her in the rain and then vanished without explanation. She'd told herself she was done with him, with all of it - the supernatural underworld, the danger, the way he made her feel things she wasn't ready to feel. The knock came again, more urgent this time. "Rory," Lucien called, his French accent thicker than usual. "I know you're in there. Please, we need to talk." She took a deep breath and unlocked the door, swinging it open. "What do you want, Lucien?" He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his eyes scanning the chaos of Eva's flat. "We have a problem." Rory closed the door and turned to face him, crossing her arms. "I'm not doing this anymore. Whatever mess you're in, you can handle it yourself." Lucien turned to her, and for a moment, she saw something raw in his eyes - something that made her breath catch. "It's about Evan." The name hit her like a physical blow. "What about him?" "He's back in London. And he's not alone." Lucien moved closer, close enough that she could smell his cologne - something expensive and spicy. "I have information that suggests he's working with a powerful warlock. One who specializes in...persuasion spells." Rory's stomach twisted. Evan had been obsessed with controlling her, with making her into something she wasn't. The thought of him having supernatural help made her skin crawl. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Lucien reached out, his fingers grazing her wrist where the small crescent-shaped scar lay. "Because I care about you, Rory. More than I should. And I won't let him hurt you again." The tenderness in his touch, in his words, made something in her chest ache. She wanted to believe him, wanted to fall into his arms and let him make everything okay. But she'd been burned before - literally and figuratively. "How do I know this isn't some kind of trick?" she asked, pulling her hand away. "How do I know you're not just using me to get to something you want?" Lucien's eyes darkened, and he stepped back, creating distance between them. "You don't. But I'm telling you the truth. Evan is dangerous, and he's coming for you. I can help you, but you have to trust me." Trust. It was a word that had lost all meaning in Rory's life. She'd trusted Evan once, and look where that had gotten her. She'd trusted her own instincts, and they'd led her into this mess of a life she never asked for. But there was something in Lucien's face - a vulnerability she'd never seen before - that made her pause. He'd always been so controlled, so polished. To see him stripped bare like this was both terrifying and exhilarating. "What do you need me to do?" she asked finally, hating how small her voice sounded. Lucien reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a small velvet pouch. "I need you to wear this. It's spelled to protect against mind control and persuasion magic." He held it out to her, and she took it gingerly, feeling the weight of the object inside. "And then what? I just go about my life while you play hero?" "I'm not playing at anything," Lucien said, his voice hardening. "This is real, Rory. Evan wants revenge, and he won't stop until he gets it. The only question is whether you're going to let me help you or if you're going to try to handle this on your own." The challenge in his words sparked something in her - that same fire that had always drawn her to him, even when she knew better. She wanted to prove him wrong, to show him that she could take care of herself. But deep down, she knew he was right. She couldn't do this alone. Not again. "Fine," she said, tying the pouch around her neck. "But I'm not hiding. If Evan wants a fight, I'll give him one." Lucien's lips curved into a smile - small, but genuine. "That's my girl." The words sent a thrill through her, even as they made her uncomfortable. She wasn't anyone's girl, least of all his. But in that moment, with danger looming and Lucien standing in front of her like some kind of dark guardian angel, she let herself pretend. Just for a second. "What's the plan?" she asked, stepping back and putting some distance between them. She needed to think, to strategize. Letting herself get lost in Lucien's presence would only lead to trouble. "We need to find out what Evan's planning and who he's working with," Lucien said, his voice all business now. "I have some contacts in the supernatural community who might be able to help with that." "And in the meantime?" "In the meantime, you stay here. With Eva if you can. Somewhere safe until we know more." Rory shook her head. "No. I'm not hiding while you do all the work. I have contacts too, remember? People who owe me favors." Lucien's expression darkened. "Rory, this isn't a game. Evan is dangerous, and he's not going to hesitate to hurt you or anyone else who gets in his way." "Neither will I," she shot back, feeling her own temper rise. "I'm not some damsel in distress, Lucien. I survived Evan before, and I can do it again. With or without your help." She expected him to argue, to try to convince her to stay out of it. But instead, he just looked at her - really looked at her - and something shifted in his gaze. "You never cease to amaze me," he said quietly. "Your strength, your courage. It's... breathtaking." The sincerity in his voice made her heart stutter in her chest. She wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself fall into the safety of his words. But she couldn't afford to be weak, not now. "Then believe this," she said, her voice hardening. "I'm in this fight, Lucien. With you or without you. The only question is whether you're going to help me or stand in my way." For a long moment, he just looked at her. And then, slowly, he smiled - a real smile this time, one that reached his eyes and made him look years younger. "I wouldn't dream of standing in your way," he said. "But I'm going to be by your side every step of the way. Whether you like it or not." Rory felt a smile tugging at her own lips, despite the gravity of the situation. "We'll see about that." Lucien took a step closer, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. "I look forward to trying to change your mind." The air between them crackled with tension - not quite sexual, but something deeper, more primal. A recognition of equals, of two people who had been through hell and come out the other side stronger for it. Rory broke the moment first, stepping back and running a hand through her hair. "We should get to work. The sooner we figure out what Evan's planning, the sooner we can stop him." Lucien nodded, but she could see the reluctance in his eyes - the desire to stay in this moment, in this space between them where everything felt possible. "As you wish," he said, but there was a note of promise in his voice that made her pulse quicken. She turned away, busying herself with gathering her research materials. But even as she worked, she could feel Lucien's eyes on her, watching, waiting. For what, she wasn't sure. But she had a feeling that whatever it was, it would change everything.