A figure broke through the shadows, running straight toward him. Under the glow of the campus lights, Willow's silhouette came into focus. She had a small bag in one hand, her hair tied up messily, her black shirt and pants blending with the dark. Her code-reader glasses reflected faint blue light, and she was slightly out of breath.
"I'm so sorry! I'm late," she panted, stopping a few feet away. "I was waiting for my roommates to fall asleep, especially Sage. That girl is creepy and I didn't want her—"
"You don't have to explain," Navian cut in smoothly, "You're here now. That's what matters. Let's go before we lose more time."
Willow nodded quickly and started walking ahead, but after a few steps, she realized he wasn't following.
Turning back, she found him kneeling by his bag, unzipping it quietly. The dim light glinted off the steel of his weapons, and she blinked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
