The car stopped in front of Lucian's manor, the sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires breaking the long silence between us. He stepped out first, the cold night air brushing through his hair before he turned to open my door.
"Go upstairs," he said quietly, his tone gentle but leaving no room for argument. "Get some rest. You've had a long night."
I blinked at him, hesitant. "What about you?"
Lucian's gaze shifted toward the far end of the manor, where faint mist curled against the lights. "There's something I need to take care of," he said after a pause. "It won't take long."
I frowned. "Can't it wait until morning?"
He smiled faintly, one of those polite, distant smiles that said more than words ever could. "It's better if I handle it now."
The way he said it made something twist uneasily in my chest. Still, I nodded. "Alright. Don't stay out too long."
Lucian stepped closer, brushing his hand lightly against my arm. "I won't," he murmured. "Go on..."
