Preparations

[Nox]

The dog started barking and Nox could hear keys fumbling outside the door. There were four other people who had keys to that door - one was dead, two were missing and the fourth Nox didn't want anywhere near him right now.

Nox held his breathe as the figure walked in the door. He just stared into the emerald green eyes and was awestruck that she was safe. Aria was safe. But she looked terrible. Nox would have thought it was poor treatment in the Ascendancy's hands, but her words spoke volumes.

Aria headed towards her bedroom and Nox got up and stepped between her and the door and wrapped the woman he'd come to think of as his little sister despite their age difference that said otherwise in a hug. She fell into him and he could feel her shaking. There was nothing he could think of to say, the man who'd saved Aria was gone. He didn't want to burden Aria with more, but Aurora was missing and they could do something about that. She'd be practical if anyone would be.

Nox whispered, "I'm sorry about Lucas. I'll miss him too."
Which was not a lie. Nox took a deep breath, "Aurora's missing."