Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTR0N67AEZCZ0T5H4DDQJNZ

The distinctive green neon sign above the entrance of The Raven's Nest glowed through the foggy London night. Aurora Carter pushed open the heavy wooden door, her bright blue eyes scanning the dimly lit interior. She brushed a strand of straight shoulder-length black hair from her face as she weaved through the crowded bar, her slight 5'6" frame slipping between patrons with practiced ease. She spotted an empty stool at the far end and made her way towards it, but halted mid-step as her gaze fell upon the man seated next to the vacancy, hunched over a glass of amber liquid. Hazel eyes met hers beneath grey-streaked auburn hair. Silas Blackwood's neatly trimmed beard twitched with the hint of a smile. "Rory?" he said, voice gravelly with age and disuse of her old nickname. "Is that really you?" Aurora hesitated, taken aback to hear her childhood name after so many years. "Silas. I didn't expect to see you here." He gestured to the empty seat. "Please, join me. It's been too long." She slid onto the stool, eyes drifting to the silver signet ring glinting on his right hand. "I go by Aurora now." "Ah, yes, how could I forget? The new name to go with your new life." He took a sip of his drink. "I must say, the years have treated you well. Though I hardly recognized you with your hair so long. You used to wear it so short." Aurora shrugged. "A lot has changed since Cardiff." "So it seems." Silas studied her face. "Your mother told me you moved to London. But I didn't realize you were living above my humble establishment." "I needed a fresh start after..." She trailed off, rubbing the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist. "Let's just say I had to get away from Cardiff. From my father. From...Evan." Silas's eyes flicked to her wrist. "Did he do that to you?" Aurora quickly lowered her hand. "It doesn't matter now. I'm here, working for Madam Yu-Fei's restaurant. I deliver for the Golden Empress." "Ah yes, Yu-Fei's place is not far from here. I've heard her dim sum is superb." He swirled the liquor in his glass. "But surely an intelligent young woman like yourself has grander aspirations than delivery girl. Your mother mentioned you studied law?" Rory snorted. "Mum and Dad's idea, not mine. I quit after the first year. My heart wasn't in it." She waited a beat before adding, "Much to my father's disappointment." Silas nodded slowly. "Brendan always did have rather...rigid expectations." "You don't know the half of it." Aurora signaled the bartender and ordered a gin and tonic. She turned back to Silas, memories churning behind her eyes. "You were the one who first taught me about lock picking, remember? Before you left for...where was it? Prague?" A faraway look entered his eyes. "Yes, I recall. One of my better decisions, in hindsight." He shifted on his seat and winced slightly, his left knee clearly paining him. Concern etched Aurora's face. "Are you alright?" "Old injury, nothing to worry about," he said, waving her off. "The ravages of time come for us all, hmm?" She said it lightly, but her eyes were serious. "Inevitable as the tides." Silas finished his drink and set the glass down, fixing Aurora with a penetrating stare. "But listen to us, prattling on like a couple of old pensioners. Tell me, what sort of mischief have you been getting up to in our fair city?" Aurora's drink arrived and she took a sip, relishing the crisp bite. "Would you believe me if I said I've been a good girl?" "Not for a second," Silas chuckled. "You were always the cleverest scamp on the streets of Cardiff. Never knew when to quit." Her lips quirked. "Some things never change, I suppose." Leaning forward, she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Let's just say that I've become well-acquainted with the ins and outs of this city. And that includes some rather...exclusive information." Silas lifted a brow. "Is that so?" He glanced around the busy bar before murmuring, "The Raven's Nest still has that room in the back, you know. For private conversations." Aurora followed his gaze to the bookshelf. She remembered the secret room behind it well - Silas used to bring her there when she was little, hiding out from her strict father. A pang went through her at the memory of simpler days. She shoved it aside and stood, downing the rest of her drink. "Right then. After you, Spymaster Blackwood." Silas rose with a soft grunt, favoring his left leg, and led her toward the back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Just like old times, hmm, Malphora?" He used her old codename with a wink. Aurora's heart clenched, but she flashed him a grin, falling into step behind him. "Just like old times, Si." And as they disappeared behind the bookcase, back into the clandestine world of their shared past, Aurora couldn't help but feel the wistful ache of time lost, and the shadows of the choices that led them to this moment. Yet, there was comfort here too, a familiarity in the way Silas still limped slightly with each step, the set of his shoulders relaxed, despite the weight of the years between them. For the first time in a long while, Aurora felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be - nestled in the warm dimness of The Raven's Nest, sipping a G&T, trading secrets with the one person who had known her before the world had hardened her. Perhaps, she mused, some bonds were stronger than the tides of change. Perhaps shared history could be a sanctuary in the eye of life's storms.