Love mends even the broken parts
The knock was unexpected: those that dwelled there were free to enter, and few people outside the residents visited the Manor these days. In fact, Loren almost dismissed it as his imagination. He was in the library, door propped open, once more going over the volume Jigano had pointed out that went over all the legends and information they had gathered about LongNight. It never hurt to be prepared, and while the summoner had read it more than once by now, he figured refreshing his memory before the darkness fell would be prudent.
Of course, the darkness had already arrived in one sense. It had settled into the Launceleyn’s soul when the light within him had been extinguished; shadows lurked in his heart and his eyes, coiling around the icy fury that coursed through his veins. Despite all that, he felt more alive, more sure of himself than he had since his return. Maybe ever, considering that he’d been so obsessed with putting others above himself that he’d beaten himself down time and time again.
Well no more. At the intrusion into his home, he looked up and his nostrils flared. Whoever had disturbed him better have a good reason. Rising to his feet with a newfound confidence—and his new look, all sharp edges, black clothes, and cold eyes—he set the book aside. Then Loren stalked to the front of the Manor and threw the door open.
Revealing Remi.
Remi.
Remi, who seemed to keep conveniently finding his way back into the summoner’s life. Only this time, it couldn’t be a coincidence. His eyes narrowed at the alchemist. ”Is this how you plan to, how did you put it, ‘leave me alone, as I have asked’?” Yeah, the Launceleyn had read the note, but it seemed that maybe he had been the only one, given that the other man had the audacity to show up at Loren’s doorstep. Well, this should be interesting, to say the least.
He smirked, not moving from his spot in the doorway. ”Guess you couldn’t stay away. Were you looking for more smooches?” Sarcasm practically dripped from every word. With an almost lazy indolence, he blew Remi a kiss. Then the summoner let his hand drop. After all, he had a pretty good idea why the alchemist was here, now: Phoebe. The healer had probably gone to whine to her best friend as soon as the Launceleyn had left her. The thought caused a savage grin to spread across the his lips, though his eyes remained hard.
Of course, the darkness had already arrived in one sense. It had settled into the Launceleyn’s soul when the light within him had been extinguished; shadows lurked in his heart and his eyes, coiling around the icy fury that coursed through his veins. Despite all that, he felt more alive, more sure of himself than he had since his return. Maybe ever, considering that he’d been so obsessed with putting others above himself that he’d beaten himself down time and time again.
Well no more. At the intrusion into his home, he looked up and his nostrils flared. Whoever had disturbed him better have a good reason. Rising to his feet with a newfound confidence—and his new look, all sharp edges, black clothes, and cold eyes—he set the book aside. Then Loren stalked to the front of the Manor and threw the door open.
Revealing Remi.
Remi.
Remi, who seemed to keep conveniently finding his way back into the summoner’s life. Only this time, it couldn’t be a coincidence. His eyes narrowed at the alchemist. ”Is this how you plan to, how did you put it, ‘leave me alone, as I have asked’?” Yeah, the Launceleyn had read the note, but it seemed that maybe he had been the only one, given that the other man had the audacity to show up at Loren’s doorstep. Well, this should be interesting, to say the least.
He smirked, not moving from his spot in the doorway. ”Guess you couldn’t stay away. Were you looking for more smooches?” Sarcasm practically dripped from every word. With an almost lazy indolence, he blew Remi a kiss. Then the summoner let his hand drop. After all, he had a pretty good idea why the alchemist was here, now: Phoebe. The healer had probably gone to whine to her best friend as soon as the Launceleyn had left her. The thought caused a savage grin to spread across the his lips, though his eyes remained hard.
loren
