The elevator moved silently upward.
Glass walls revealed the glowing skyline of Nocturne beneath the rain.
Luna stood inside the elevator with her arms crossed, watching the city lights flicker through the storm.
Beside her, Brevis Draven stood calmly with his hands in his coat pockets.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It was charged.
After the attack earlier, the air between them had shifted.
Brevis had seen too much.
And Luna knew it.
The elevator finally stopped.
The doors slid open.
Luna stepped out first.
The penthouse was enormous.
Dark marble floors stretched across the room while massive windows revealed the entire city skyline. Soft lights glowed from the ceiling, reflecting off expensive furniture and glass walls.
Everything looked cold.
Precise.
Controlled.
Just like its owner.
Luna walked slowly across the room.
"Nice place."
Brevis closed the door behind them.
"I spend very little time here."
"That explains the lack of personality."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You're criticizing my home?"
"I'm observing it."
Brevis removed his coat and tossed it over a chair.
"You're bleeding on my floor."
Luna looked down at the small stain on her sleeve.
"Still alive though."
"Sit."
"That sounded like another order."
"It was."
Luna sighed but finally sat on the edge of a leather couch.
Brevis disappeared into another room for a moment.
When he returned, he carried a small medical kit.
He sat across from her.
"Give me your arm."
"I can handle it."
"I know."
His eyes met hers.
"But you're still giving it to me."
After a moment, Luna slowly extended her arm.
Brevis carefully cleaned the cut.
The sting of antiseptic made Luna flinch slightly.
"You fight well," he said quietly.
"Self-defense classes."
Brevis smirked faintly.
"You're really committed to that lie."
Luna leaned back against the couch.
"And you're really committed to asking questions."
He finished wrapping the bandage.
"Someone sent five trained men after you."
"I noticed."
"That's not random."
"Nothing in this city is random."
Brevis studied her face.
"You're not surprised."
Luna didn't answer.
Instead she looked toward the massive window overlooking the city.
Brevis followed her gaze.
"You came to Nocturne for a reason."
"Everyone comes here for a reason."
"That's not what I meant."
Silence filled the room again.
Finally Luna spoke quietly.
"You shouldn't get involved."
Brevis leaned back slightly.
"Too late."
"You don't know what you're stepping into."
"That makes it interesting."
Luna turned toward him again.
"You enjoy danger too much."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"Only when it's worth it."
The tension between them slowly returned.
Thicker now.
Stronger.
Luna stood up and began walking around the penthouse.
Her eyes examined the shelves, the desk, the expensive artwork.
Everything here reflected control.
Power.
Brevis watched her carefully.
"You're studying the exits."
"Habit."
"You do that everywhere?"
"Yes."
Brevis's gaze sharpened again.
"You're definitely not normal."
Luna stopped near the large window.
The rain streaked across the glass behind her.
"Normal people don't survive long in cities like this."
Brevis stood up slowly.
Then he walked toward a nearby chair where Luna's bag rested.
Without asking, he picked it up.
Luna immediately turned.
"Don't."
Too late.
Brevis opened the bag.
Inside were only a few simple items.
A wallet.
A phone.
And something else.
A black handgun.
Silence fell over the room.
Brevis lifted the weapon carefully.
Then he looked at her.
"Self-defense classes?"
Luna sighed quietly.
"You went through my bag."
"You brought a weapon into my home."
"Your guards searched me."
"They didn't check the hidden pocket."
Luna crossed her arms.
"Your security team should improve."
Brevis stared at the gun.
"This isn't a cheap weapon."
"No."
"You carry it everywhere."
"Yes."
Brevis looked back at her.
"Who are you, Luna?"
The question hung in the air.
Luna didn't answer immediately.
Instead she slowly walked closer.
Her silver eyes met his.
"Someone who survives."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting tonight."
Brevis stepped closer.
Now only a small distance separated them.
"You think you can keep secrets forever?"
"No."
"Then why try?"
Luna's voice softened slightly.
"Because some secrets destroy people."
Brevis didn't look afraid.
If anything…
He looked more curious.
"Good," he said quietly.
"Because I'm very hard to destroy."
The tension between them grew even stronger.
For a moment neither moved.
Then Luna reached forward.
She took the gun from his hand.
Their fingers brushed briefly.
A small spark of electricity passed through the contact.
Luna stepped back.
"I should leave."
Brevis didn't move.
"Not tonight."
"That sounded like a command again."
"Tonight it's a request."
Luna studied him carefully.
"You're worried about another attack."
"Yes."
"And you think this place is safer?"
"I know it is."
Luna hesitated.
Then she looked toward the massive city skyline outside the window.
The rain had slowed.
Nocturne glowed beneath them like a living creature.
Finally she spoke.
"Fine."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"Fine?"
"I'll stay tonight."
His lips curved slightly.
"That was easier than expected."
"Don't get used to it."
Brevis walked toward the kitchen area.
"Wine?"
"Sure."
He poured two glasses.
When he handed one to her, their eyes met again.
This time the tension felt different.
Still dangerous.
But warmer.
More personal.
Brevis lifted his glass slightly.
"To mysterious women."
Luna clinked her glass against his.
"And curious crime lords."
They both drank.
Neither of them noticed the security camera outside the building.
Or the car parked across the street.
Inside the car…
Selene watched the penthouse windows with cold eyes.
Her lips curved into a thin smile.
"Stay the night," she whispered.
"Let's see how long that lasts."