By the time he stepped out of his room, the city outside had grown dark.
Victoria was already curled on the couch, a blanket over her legs, watching a faint blue holographic projection flicker in the air, some old drama series from before mana tech had gone mainstream.
She looked up when he entered. "All packed?"
"Yeah."
She nodded, yawning. "Then get some sleep. You'll need it."
"I could say the same."
"I'm not the one who attracts danger like a magnet," she said dryly, turning back toward the hologram.
He chuckled softly. "Not intentionally."
"I'll believe that when the world stops throwing gods and monsters at you."
"…Fair."
He hesitated for a moment before sitting beside her. Neither spoke. They didn't need to.
The flickering light painted the room in quiet shades of blue.
