Second Chances

[Nox]

Nox tried not to listen but she didn't even get up to leave so it was hard not to, so he heard half the conversation. If he had his power he could have heard the whole thing, but he didn't really need to hear much more than what he did to get the whole gist of the conversation. Rachel, her sister, was in contact with a sentient. Dorian knew all about them thanks to Aria, not that he'd ever met Aria, but he'd heard enough stories and knew about Giordano.

Nox sat forward and listened as best he could. It was rude, he didn't care.

And when Emily told him exactly who it was she didn't need to say anymore. "You don't need to do anything, Emily. It's my job and if the man is anything like his father he deserves what he gets." Nox pulled his wallet out. "I need to make a phone call."

He didn't step away either, but calling Hayden would reveal a bit too much and he knew Ana would overract, but it was better she learn it from him than from anyone else.

"What did you break this time?" Hayden answered the phone.

"Nothing. Can you get a clean up crew. I got a Sentient who's fucking with family. And without the power, clean up isn't quite so easy as it was. Neither is the other part but I can do that well enough even if I'm rusty."

Hayden laughed. "You called me instead of Jacob?"

Nox gave his friend a wry grin he couldn't see and it was more for show than any feelings whatsoever. "I'd rather owe you than him. He's wound up in a zealots grasp, I'd rather not owe the organization officially. Least with you I know where I stand."

"You'd rather have me fucking you over, eh?"

"Something like that. You got me covered?"

"No problem. Just text me the details. You need back up?"

"Nah, I should be alright. You could tell Sky to get me a gun safe so I can keep Damnation and Salvation at the house out of reach of ..."

"I'll let Sky know. And you really named your guns?"

"I'll tell you about it when I see you next. Thanks man. I gotta go."

"Happy Hunting."

The second that Nox hung up the wallet and was putting it back in his pocket Ana started speaking, his eyes darted for hers the moment she began. "What do you mean without the power?"

Nox let out a soft laugh. It was neither funny nor filled with any emotion it was more like a huff, he was tired of explaining but he hadn't told everyone yet, so it was going to be like that for a while. "Let's just say that curing the Horde had some ramifications that are less than desirable."