Nocturne was quiet after midnight.
The rain had returned again, thin silver lines falling from the dark sky and soaking the empty streets.
Luna walked calmly beneath a flickering streetlamp.
Her apartment was only two blocks away.
But something felt wrong.
Not the usual feeling of being watched.
This time the air felt heavier.
Colder.
Her instincts whispered the truth before her eyes confirmed it.
Professionals.
She kept walking, pretending not to notice.
A black car slowly rolled past the intersection ahead of her.
Another vehicle turned onto the street behind.
Too controlled.
Too precise.
Luna exhaled slowly.
"Of course," she muttered.
She stopped walking.
The rain grew heavier around her.
Three men stepped out of the car ahead.
Two more from the one behind.
Five total.
All wearing dark coats.
All moving with careful discipline.
Not drunk idiots.
Not street criminals.
One of them spoke calmly.
"Luna Vale."
Luna turned toward them.
"That's my name."
"We need you to come with us."
"Do I?"
His voice hardened slightly.
"You can come quietly."
Luna tilted her head.
"Or?"
"Or we bring you."
The streetlight above flickered again.
Luna studied them carefully.
Hidden weapons.
Professional stance.
Trained.
That meant someone with serious resources sent them.
Which meant…
This city had started paying attention.
Luna sighed softly.
"I was hoping for a peaceful week."
The men moved closer.
"Last chance."
Luna slid her hands into her coat pockets.
"Unfortunately…"
Her silver eyes sharpened.
"I don't take orders."
The first attacker lunged.
Fast.
But Luna moved faster.
She stepped aside, grabbed his arm, and flipped him hard onto the wet pavement.
Before he could react, her heel slammed into his ribs.
Two more rushed her.
One swung a knife.
Luna twisted sideways, grabbed his wrist, and drove her elbow into his jaw.
The knife clattered to the ground.
The second man tried grabbing her from behind.
Luna slammed her head backward into his face.
He staggered.
She kicked his knee and sent him collapsing.
Rain soaked the street as the fight exploded into motion.
The remaining two attackers pulled guns.
Luna froze.
Not from fear.
From calculation.
Guns changed the situation.
"Stop moving," one of them ordered.
The barrel pointed directly at her chest.
For a brief moment…
The street went silent except for the rain.
Then suddenly—
A gunshot echoed.
But it didn't come from the attackers.
One of the gunmen dropped instantly.
A bullet hole appeared in his shoulder.
The other attacker turned in shock.
Another shot rang out.
His weapon flew from his hand.
A black car screeched to a stop nearby.
Three armed men stepped out.
Brevis's men.
And behind them…
Brevis Draven himself.
He walked toward the scene slowly.
Calmly.
Like he had all the time in the world.
The attackers immediately panicked.
"Retreat!"
Two of them ran.
But Brevis's guards moved faster.
Within seconds the remaining attackers were pinned to the ground.
Rain soaked everything.
Brevis stopped a few steps away from Luna.
His dark eyes scanned her quickly.
"You're bleeding."
Luna glanced down.
A small cut along her arm.
"Just a scratch."
Brevis's gaze shifted to the unconscious men on the pavement.
Then back to her.
"You handled them."
"Yes."
"Five professionals."
"I noticed."
Brevis studied her carefully.
"You didn't panic."
"Should I have?"
He ignored the question.
"Who sent them?"
"If I knew," Luna replied calmly, "I'd probably be more concerned."
Brevis walked closer.
Very close now.
Rain ran down his coat but he didn't seem to care.
His eyes were intense.
"You fought like someone trained."
Luna shrugged.
"Self-defense classes."
Brevis almost smiled.
"Don't insult me."
For a moment they simply stood there in the rain.
Brevis glanced at the men his guards were holding.
"Take them."
"Yes, sir."
The guards dragged the attackers toward the car.
Within seconds the street became quiet again.
Only Brevis and Luna remained.
Brevis stepped even closer.
His voice dropped lower.
"This city just tried to kidnap you."
"So it seems."
"And you're strangely calm."
"I've had worse nights."
Brevis stared at her.
Trying to read something hidden beneath her calm expression.
"You're not telling me something."
Luna met his gaze.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it keeps being true."
Rain continued falling between them.
Finally Luna said quietly,
"You didn't have to come."
Brevis tilted his head slightly.
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
His answer came without hesitation.
"Because someone touched what I'm watching."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's still true."
She crossed her arms.
"I'm not one of your possessions."
Brevis's eyes darkened slightly.
"I didn't say you were."
The tension between them thickened again.
Then Brevis reached out suddenly.
His fingers gently lifted Luna's injured arm.
He examined the cut.
The contact was brief.
But intense.
"You need stitches."
"I'll survive."
Brevis looked at her again.
"You're stubborn."
"So are you."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"That's probably why this is interesting."
For a moment neither moved.
The rain softened around them.
Finally Brevis released her arm.
"You're coming with me."
"That sounded like an order again."
"It is."
Luna sighed.
"And if I refuse?"
Brevis leaned slightly closer.
His voice quiet but firm.
"Then I'll follow you all night to make sure nobody else tries to kidnap you."
Luna stared at him.
Then she shook her head slightly.
"You're exhausting."
"Yet you're still here."
After a few seconds…
Luna walked toward his car.
"Fine," she said.
"Just tonight."
Brevis opened the car door for her.
As she sat inside, she looked up at him.
"You're getting too involved in my problems."
Brevis closed the door.
Then he answered calmly through the open window.
"Something tells me…"
His dark eyes locked with hers.
"Your problems are about to become my problems."
And for the first time since arriving in Nocturne…
Luna felt a small spark of concern.
Because Brevis Draven might actually be right.