The grip was sudden and firm, pulling Orion to the side just as he stepped out of his cousin's room. Instinctively, his muscle tensed, ready to unleash a barrel of threat at the unseen assailant, but then, a familiar scent, lavender, wafted into his senses, sending a wave of calm over him.
"Aunt Sandra?" He breathed out, blinking quickly in the dim light as he adjusted to recognize the line of worry clearly visible on her face.
"Shh," she shushed him, glancing over her shoulders like a conspirator. "I needed to talk to you, away from the ears of anyone listening. And knowing this family," her eyes shone, "everyone is listening."
"Is everything okay?" He asked, although he knew his aunt had a knack for dramatics.
"It's your cousin." She whispered, her voice quivering with maternal concerns. "He looked really bad earlier, I don't wanna overstep, but I don't wanna not know what's going on."
