Run: 2026-02-19-01KHT0MG4FRJR927TTRNYDWR1D

Rory froze when she opened the door to find Lucien standing in the hallway, one hand still raised to knock. He looked different than she remembered - more polished, the weariness around his eyes carefully concealed behind designer sunglasses. The tailored suit he wore seemed to swallow the small space of her doorway. "Lucien," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "What are you doing here?" He removed his sunglasses, revealing those mismatched eyes that still made her breath catch despite everything. "I need to talk to you, Rory. May I come in?" She hesitated, her fingers tightening on the door handle. It had been six months since she'd seen him, since the night everything fell apart between them. The night she'd discovered he'd been lying to her about who - what - he really was. The cat, Ptolemy, rubbed against her ankles, breaking the tension. Rory stepped back, allowing him entry. "Fine. But make it quick." Lucien entered, his eyes scanning the cluttered flat with its shelves overflowing with Eva's research materials. He moved to the small kitchen table and pulled out a chair, sitting with that controlled grace that had first drawn her to him. "I've been trying to reach you for weeks," he said, removing his suit jacket and draping it over the chair back. "You've been avoiding my calls." "I've been busy," Rory replied, crossing her arms. "And after what happened, I needed space." "I know." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "But this isn't about us. There's something you need to know." Rory's stomach tightened. "What is it?" "Eva's in trouble." He paused, studying her face. "She's been taken by a collector - someone who deals in rare supernatural artifacts. And people." The blood drained from Rory's face. "What? When? Why wasn't I contacted?" "I only just found out myself. The collector is someone from my past - someone I thought I'd cut ties with years ago." Lucien's jaw clenched. "I've been tracking his movements, but he's careful. It took me this long to confirm he has her." Rory's mind raced. Eva, her best friend since childhood, gone. The thought made her feel sick. "Where is she? What does he want with her?" "The collector specializes in scholars and researchers - people with knowledge he can exploit or sell. From what I can gather, he's been watching Eva for months, waiting for the right moment." Lucien stood, moving closer to her. "Rory, I'm sorry. I should have protected her better. I should have -" "Don't," she cut him off, though her voice wavered. "Just tell me what we're going to do about it." Lucien's eyes widened slightly at her use of "we," but he nodded. "I have a plan, but it's risky. The collector operates out of an estate in the countryside - heavily warded and guarded. I can get us inside, but once we're in, we'll be on our own." Rory squared her shoulders. "Then we'd better be prepared. When do we leave?" "Tonight. I've already made arrangements." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch. "I brought this for you. I thought you might need it." She took the pouch, feeling the weight of whatever was inside. When she opened it, a silver pendant on a delicate chain glinted in the light. The pendant was shaped like a crescent moon with an eye at its center. "It's a tracking charm," Lucien explained. "If anything goes wrong, it will lead me to you. And it will protect you from most basic wards and spells." Rory fastened the necklace around her neck, the pendant cool against her skin. "Thank you. I think." "You're welcome." He stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Rory, about what happened between us -" "Not now," she interrupted, though her heart raced at his proximity. "We have more important things to worry about. Like getting Eva back." He nodded, but his eyes held a question she wasn't ready to answer. "Of course. We should get going. The sooner we leave, the better our chances." Rory grabbed her coat and keys, her mind already racing with possibilities and contingencies. As they headed for the door, Lucien's hand brushed against hers, and she felt that familiar spark - the one that had drawn her to him in the first place. But there was no time for that now. Eva needed them. And Rory would do whatever it took to bring her home. The door closed behind them with a soft click, leaving the flat empty and silent in their wake.