Run: 2026-03-06-01KK1HZ8H4VMX7V3KFNYXNBT54

The front door rattled against the deadbolts, the sound echoing down the cramped hallway like a warning. Aurora’s hand, stained with the faint sheen of oil from a recent delivery, brushed the knob. She paused, eyes flicking to the scar on her left wrist—small crescent, a reminder of a childhood accident that had taught her to trust no one fully. The door swung inward before she could lock it. Lucien stood in the doorway, his charcoal suit cutting a sharp silhouette against the dim light. The cane rested against the wall, its ivory handle gleaming. He lifted his chin, amber eye catching the glow of the streetlamp, black eye reflecting the flicker of the doorframe. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Rory,” he said, voice low, inflected with a hint of French that made his words feel like a secret. “You look… different.” She didn’t answer. She stepped back, the scar catching the light, and let him in. The flat smelled of curry and old books, a mix that felt oddly familiar. She had lived here for three years, above Silas’ bar, surrounded by shelves of scrolls and research notes that filled the walls. The kitchen was small, the stove humming softly. She set a mug of tea on the counter and turned to face him. He crossed the room, cane tapping the floor. The tap was rhythmic, a metronome in the quiet. He approached the counter, his cane’s blade catching the edge of the countertop. He turned, the amber eye glinting with a mixture of curiosity and something else—an ache she couldn’t quite place. “Lucien,” she said, voice steady, but the tremor in her throat was real. “What are you doing here?” He shrugged, his shoulders relaxing. “You asked for a delivery.” He looked at the mug of tea, then at her. “I didn’t think you’d say no.” The words hung between them, heavy. She remembered the night they had broken up—her voice hoarse, his eyes dark. They had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She had left him in the shadows of the city, and he had followed the trail of her footprints into the underworld. They had both moved on, but the past clung like a second skin. “Why now?” she asked, her voice low. “You’re not supposed to be here.” He stepped closer, the cane’s blade glinting. “I’m not supposed to be here.” He paused, the scar on his wrist catching the light. “I had to see you.” She stared at him, the memory of their last argument flooding back. He had been angry, his voice rising. She had been stubborn, refusing to let him in. They had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. The scar on her wrist, a reminder of a childhood accident, seemed to echo the scar on his wrist—a reminder of a night that had changed everything. “Okay,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Come in.” He slipped inside, the cane’s blade glinting against the floor. He walked past the shelves of books, his eyes scanning the titles. He paused at a stack of scrolls, his fingers brushing the paper. He looked up, his amber eye meeting hers. “You’re… still here,” he said, his voice low. “I thought you’d moved on.” She stared at him, the memory of their last argument flooding back. She remembered the way he had looked at her, his eyes dark, his mouth twisted in a half‑smile. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Rory,” he said, his voice low. “I’m sorry.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist, a reminder of a childhood accident, seemed to echo the scar on his wrist—a reminder of a night that had changed everything. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts. “Lucien,” she said, her voice low. “I’m not sure.” He stepped closer, his cane’s blade glinting. He looked at her, his amber eye meeting hers. He smiled, a half‑grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure either.” She stared at him, the scar on her wrist a reminder of a childhood accident. She remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes bright, her mouth open in a gasp. She remembered the way they had said things that cut deeper than any blade. She remembered the way they had left unsaid, words that lingered like ghosts.