The afternoon light filtering through Aiden's window was wrong, tinted red from the lightning that still pulsed across the black sky outside. He sat on the edge of his bed—the only proper bed in the cramped flat—while his mother moved around the tiny kitchen area and Callum sprawled on the sofa they'd pulled out for sleeping.
They'd been back from the Hunter Association for a few hours now, the energy from Callum's awakening ceremony still crackling in the air between them. His brother kept summoning and dismissing Number One every twenty minutes, fascinated by the blue afterimage that materialized into metal and hard light before vanishing again.
Aiden's phone buzzed on the desk. He picked it up and read the message from Chairman Cross, sent just after they'd parted ways at the Association.
Equipment ready for collection. Fourth floor armory, ask for Requisitions. Available after 18:00 today. Bring measurements if you want gear for your brother.
