The storm hadn't hit yet, but the skyline already glowed with that pre-electric haze, neon lights flickering against the low clouds, thunder murmuring somewhere behind the glass. Victor sat at his desk, half in shadow, a tablet open in front of him, data feeds from the city scrolling in thin, luminous lines.
Across the room, Elias lay sprawled on the couch, still in his training shirt, damp hair curling at the ends from the earlier shower. He'd given up pretending to read; the book sat open beside him, ignored in favor of tracing idle circles against the soft fabric of the couch. The hum of ether stabilizers built into the walls filled the silence, a quiet, rhythmic pulse meant to calm, but lately it only reminded him of how tense everything was.
Then came the knock, two sharp raps, urgent.
Victor didn't look up. "Come in."
