AI The door creaked open, revealing a sliver of warm light that spilled onto the dimly lit staircase. Aurora Carter, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, stood frozen in the doorway. The scent of old books and something faintly herbal wafted out, a familiar comfort that sent a pang through her.
"Rory?" The voice was soft, hesitant, as if the speaker couldn't quite believe their own eyes . Eva, her childhood friend, stood there, her dark eyes wide with surprise. She was the same, yet different—her hair longer, her face more lined with the passage of time.
Aurora swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "Hey, Eva."
Eva's gaze flickered over Aurora's face, taking in the changes—the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist, the tiredness in her bright blue eyes. "You look... different."
Aurora managed a small smile. "So do you."
A silence stretched between them, filled with the weight of unsaid words and shared history. Eva's tabby cat, Ptolemy, weaved around her legs, his tail flicking curiously at the unexpected visitor.
Eva stepped aside, her gesture awkward but inviting. "Come in."
Aurora hesitated, her eyes scanning the familiar space. The flat was just as she remembered it—cramped, cluttered with books and scrolls, every surface covered in Eva's endless research. But there was something different too, something she couldn't quite put her finger on .
She stepped inside, the warmth of the flat wrapping around her like an old blanket. Eva closed the door behind her, the sound of the three deadbolts clicking into place echoing in the small space.
"So," Eva said, her voice barely above a whisper . "What brings you here, Rory?"
Aurora turned to face her, her heart aching with the weight of the past. "I needed to see you, Eva. There's... there's something I need to tell you."
Eva's eyes searched hers, her expression a mix of hope and fear. "What is it?"
Aurora took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of a nearby book. "I... I left Evan."
Eva's eyes widened , her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, Rory. I'm so sorry."
Aurora shook her head, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Don't be. It's... it's for the best. I just... I needed to get away. And I needed to see you."
Eva reached out, her hand hesitantly touching Aurora's arm. "I'm glad you're here."
Aurora looked down at Eva's hand, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. She missed this—Eva's touch, her presence, the comfort of her friendship.
"I've missed you, Eva," she whispered.
Eva's eyes softened, her hand squeezing Aurora's arm gently . "I've missed you too, Rory. More than you know."
They stood there for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Then, Eva stepped back, her eyes flickering to the kitchen. "Can I... can I get you something to drink? Tea, maybe?"
Aurora nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "That would be nice."
Eva turned away, busying herself with the kettle. Aurora watched her, her heart aching with the memories of their past. She remembered the late-night study sessions, the shared secrets, the laughter that had once filled this very room.
Eva handed her a steaming mug, her fingers brushing against Aurora's. "Here you go."
Aurora took the mug, her fingers curling around the warm ceramic. "Thank you."
They sat down at the small table, the silence between them comfortable , familiar . Aurora took a sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving Eva's face.
"I'm sorry, Eva," she said softly . "For everything. For leaving, for not telling you sooner..."
Eva reached out, her hand covering Aurora's. "It's okay, Rory. I understand. I'm just glad you're here now."
Aurora looked down at their joined hands, her heart swelling with emotion. She had missed this—Eva's touch, her understanding, her love.
"I love you, Eva," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Eva's eyes widened , her hand tightening around Aurora's. "I love you too, Rory. I always have."
They sat there for a moment, their hands joined, their hearts beating in sync. Then, Eva leaned in, her lips brushing against Aurora's in a soft, gentle kiss.
Aurora closed her eyes, her heart soaring with happiness. This was where she belonged—with Eva, in this flat, in this moment.
When they pulled apart, Eva's eyes were bright with unshed tears. "I'm glad you're back, Rory. I've missed you so much."
Aurora smiled, her heart swelling with love. "I'm glad I'm back too, Eva. I'm glad I'm home."
They sat there for a while, their hands joined, their hearts beating in sync. The past was behind them, the future uncertain, but in this moment, they were together. And that was all that mattered.
A sudden knock at the door shattered the moment, the sound echoing through the small flat. Eva's eyes widened , her hand flying to her chest.
"Who could that be?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Aurora stood up, her heart pounding in her chest. She had a feeling she knew exactly who it was. She walked to the door, her hand hesitating on the knob. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and pulled the door open.
Standing there was Lucien Moreau, his platinum blond hair slicked back, his heterochromatic eyes scanning the room behind her. He was dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, an ivory-handled cane in his hand.
"Lucien," Aurora said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her . "What are you doing here?"
Lucien's eyes flickered to hers, his expression unreadable . "I need to talk to you, Aurora. It's important."
Aurora hesitated, her eyes flickering back to Eva. She could see the fear in her friend's eyes, the uncertainty. She took a deep breath, her hand tightening around the doorknob.
"Come in, Lucien," she said, stepping aside to let him in. "We need to talk."
Lucien stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the clutter, the books, the warmth . He turned to Aurora, his expression serious.
"What is it, Lucien?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper .
Lucien looked at her, his eyes softening. "I need your help, Aurora. I need your quick thinking, your intelligence. There's something happening, something dangerous. And I need you to help me stop it."
Aurora looked at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she should say no, that she should stay here, with Eva, where she belonged. But she also knew that she couldn't turn her back on Lucien, not when he needed her help.
She took a deep breath, her hand reaching out to take his. "I'll help you, Lucien. Whatever it is, I'll help you."
Lucien's eyes softened, his hand squeezing hers gently . "Thank you, Aurora. I won't forget this."
Aurora nodded, her heart swelling with determination. She turned to Eva, her eyes meeting her friend's.
"I have to go, Eva," she said softly . "But I'll be back. I promise."
Eva nodded, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I understand, Rory. Be careful."
Aurora smiled, her heart aching with love. She turned to Lucien, her hand still in his.
"Let's go, Lucien," she said, her voice steady and sure . "Let's stop whatever it is that's coming."
And with that, they stepped out into the night, their hands joined, their hearts beating in sync. The past was behind them, the future uncertain, but in this moment, they were together. And that was all that mattered.