Reliquiae

[Nox]

The world had come full circle in a matter of weeks. He was accused of assassinating the president by a few acquaintances, received a new arm, lost the horde and the ability to channel, and now only a few weeks later he had them both back. What the fuck!

He was pissed. Not at anyone in particular though Hayden came as close to someone to blame. Sage was begging for forgiveness and there at the drop of a hat should he need him. But it was neither of their fault. No one made him do any of it. It was his fault -- like every fucking thing else in his life.

He tried not to think about Raffe. About the presents he'd left. About the song he wrote. About his feelings that he wished he didn't feel. He wanted it to be done and over. And in his heart of hearts he knew he was no good for Raffe. They'd never been on the same page. And he had to accept that. Raffe wasn't talking to him, so it made things easier. He wasn't just incommunicado with Nox though -- no one heard from him. His sabbatical left everyone without knowing more. Not that Carmen would tell him otherwise or not.

Life fucking sucked. But he felt love again. And he cherished the smiles and coos from Lily. He loved the hugs from the kids and even their back talk. He was careful around Liam. But not so much as to make the boy feel unloved. Because he did love him, just not in the crushing romantic sorta sex way Liam wished for down deep. They both accepted things and they were learning a new norm.

His runs were times to drown in everything. His thoughts no longer collected on the outside, he felt everything. It hurt. He hated it. His nightmares plagued him again and he slept like shit. He was running on fumes and on caffeine. He didn't need to fight or fuck or feed. At least not more than normal. Nox was grateful for that. He could eat properly again. He didn't need to call Ori, though he did miss calling her. He did ring a few times for a fight. Sparring was always good for the soul -- both of theirs.

And he fought at the Almaz. It was an outlet, and it made him money he wasn't about to turn down. Not that he was struggling -- Sage saw to that, but he liked it and he was good at it. Gave him a reason to let loose.

Nox hadn't returned to dance. The scars left him less agile than he liked and he was still working through it. It was better but not the best. He'd get there though -- he'd see to it.

So when the videos showed up Nox began to wonder what Sterling had done. But Sage insisted she had nothing to do with it and he was looking for the bastard who had gotten them. The onlyu person who had been asking about that particular footage had been Jacob and Nox hadn't thought anything about it when he handed it over.

And then Eliot Lagueux showed up on his run, sitting on the bench displaying his tattoo and reaching for the power all in the same motion. Nox slowed and stopped at the far end of the bench but he didn't turn around. He thought about it. What did the rich son of an Atharim benefactor what with him? And did his family know he could channel?

Nox turned around. "You might be able to have one or two. But I have a few questions. First: why did you release those videos?"