Victor finally crossed the mansion's main doors as the sky was beginning to brighten. His coat still carried dust from Bramford, the smell of blood remained trapped in the sleeves, and small tears covered the fabric, reminders of a mission that should have been simple and had ended with clandestine laboratories, chimeras, werewolves, and an absurd number of reports waiting to be completed.
At that moment, however, he did not want to think about any of it.
He wanted to take a bath, change his clothes, and sleep for several hours before Serafall, Rosalyne, or anyone else decided to find him.
Victor closed the door behind him.
His feet had barely touched the noble marble of the hall when two presences appeared at the same time.
