When it was time to leave the Elder Minister's mansion, they gathered beside the waiting carriage. Carnifex informed them,
"I'll see what else I can find about the Mirror Portal. Until then, it would be best not to let word of the fragment spread. There are people who would go to great lengths to find something like that."
Ruelle nodded. "I won't." She was about to turn towards the carriage when Carnifex called her name.
"Ruelle," just when she turned, Carnifex stepped forward and hugged her. For a heartbeat, she was rigid. Not out of discomfort, but because she didn't know how to be held by this man.
When Carnifex released her, Ruelle's hands remained awkwardly at her sides for a moment. There was something in his expression that made her think he wanted to say more, but whatever the words were, they never came to his lips.
