{ It’s almost morning time }
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The night had been a blur after Aurora’s conversation with Arya.
Aurora had stayed at the party longer than she intended. A few drinks had made their way into her hand… nothing heavy, just enough to take the edge off. She didn’t want to think about what her father had laid on her shoulders earlier. The party had been in full swing, with students laughing and talking. Aurora had managed to lose herself in the energy of it all for a little while, distracting herself but no matter how hard she tried to focus on her surroundings, she couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on her.
From across the room she felt his gaze - Hayes. He was standing by the edge of the room, leaning casually against the wall, his eyes following her every move. It was unnerving… It always was. She didn’t even see him arrive at the party, but now that she noticed him, he was always there. Aurora’s heart raced a little faster, but she told herself to calm down. He’s probably just curious, she thought, trying to rationalize his attention. It’s not like they ever had any real reason to talk. Not like they liked each other. However… there was a moment when Hayes approached her, a drink in his hands… A one he called truce. He tried to speak to Aurora about something important but she couldn’t stand one more big conversation.
It was all getting too much.
The crowd had thinned now, most people leaving the Umbra Coven’s common room as the music died down. Aurora decided it was time to leave too. She wasn’t drunk, not even close, but something felt off. Her head was lighter than it should be and her legs felt shaky as she walked through the halls toward her room. She brushed it off as exhaustion or maybe the effects of too much stress from this long day. But as she continued walking her vision blurred slightly and a deep unease settled in her chest… Every step felt heavier, like something was pulling her down and as much as she tried to steady herself by leaning against the cold stone wall, it wasn’t enough. Her heart raced, she was nothing but confused. What was happening? Her hands trembled as she pushed herself off the wall trying to keep going but her legs wobbled beneath her. Aurora could feel herself starting to panic.
Why do I feel like this? she thought, her head swirling with fragmented memories. She hadn’t drunk enough to pass out. She wasn’t even that tired just… overwhelmed.
She stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her, and her world tilted. She reached out, trying to find something… anything… to steady herself, but there was nothing but air.
And then… arms caught her.
”Hey, easy there,“ Hayes mumbles, his voice low, filled with worry she could not hear. He tried to steady her as she slumped against him. His grip was firm, holding her up when her legs refused to. She tried to speak, to say something, but her mouth wouldn’t form the words. Her eyelids felt impossibly heavy and the world around her began to dim, fading into shadows. Through the haze, she felt herself being lifted. Hayes was moving, carrying her, but where to? Her thoughts blurred together, and all she could do was cling to the sensation of being carried, feeling small and vulnerable.
Father… The thought drifted through her mind, fading as quickly as it had come. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, pulling her deeper into the darkness.
{ Morning after the hunt / with Vinnie }
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Adrian paced his quarters, his wife by his side.
Both of their hearts raced as they glanced at Aurora, lying unconscious on the couch, her black flapper dress slightly rumpled. The medics had been in and out, their faces showing nothing but concern, but no one could determine what was wrong. He felt a pit of dread in his stomach, this wasn’t just a case of excessive partying.
“Adrian, we need answers,” Aurora’s mother, Lorain, said, her voice shaking slightly as she hovered near the couch, brushing a stray hair away from Aurora’s face. There were tears in her eyes, worried written all over her face. “She’s been like this for hours and they can’t find anything wrong with her!" Adrian forced a frown, masking the turmoil beneath the surface. This is serious. He let the worry seep into his expression as he glanced at Aurora’s still form. “It could be something related to dark shadow magic,” he suggested, leaning in slightly as if the idea had just occurred to him. “I’ve seen its effects before. It can be unpredictable.”
Lorain’s eyes widened. “You think someone did this to her? That it was intentional?” He shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, but we need to be cautious. If this is the work of shadow magic, we need someone who understands it.” He let the tension linger, watching as the medics exchanged worried glances.
But they need someone who wouldn’t talk.
Who wouldn’t ask questions. This was not time for everyone to worry about Aurora.
Adrian knew he had to act fast. “I think we should call Vnicenzo. He has a natural talent for shadow magic. He might be able to help,” he said, keeping his tone steady. “Russo? He’s just a student!” Lorain protested, doubt written on her face. They both keep their voices low, a conversation they wanted to have with one another… Without medics listening. “He’s more knowledgeable than most,” Adrian insisted, maintaining an air of authority. “We need to try everything we can.” “What about Jesse? Adrian! I don’t trust anyone else coming that close to our daughter! Jesse knows our daughter!” He stepped closer, invading her personal space, eyes blazing with intensity. “This isn’t a game. We need someone who can handle this situation properly." Lorain glared at him, her fists clenching at her sides. “You think I don’t want to keep her safe? You think I trust Russo with her life? We don’t know him! Jesse is reliable and he would never let anything happen to her!”
There was a moment of silence, the two of them only staring at each other before Adrian straightened up and turned to a professor that just walked into the room. “Go call Jesse and Vincenzo, tell them its urgent and I need one of them to help me.”
One word to describe the situation - tension.
Adrian and Lorain sat in the room, Aurora’s, what seemed like a lifeless body, still on the bed.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Vinnie stepped inside. The young man’s confident demeanor felt like a refreshing moment they needed right now, his eyes immediately landing on Adrian and Aurora. Adrian’s lips curled into a faint smile, a flicker of hope rising. “Vincenzo… Thank you for coming." He said, trying to keep his tone steady. “We need you. Aurora… she’s been affected by something, something dark." He glanced at Aurora, who lay pale and still, her chest rising and falling gently. “She hasn’t woken up since the party last night."
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@raviola - finally