The evening air in Oakhaven was cooler than the heavy, salt-choked afternoon but the atmosphere between Lucius and Evelina was thick with a different kind of pressure. As they stepped out of the headquarters, the bustling sounds of the village had dimmed into a low hum, leaving them in a silence that felt unusually loud.
For the first few minutes, neither spoke. Lucius walked with his usual gait but his shoulders were stiff, his silver eyes fixed straight ahead. Evelina, though composed, found herself matching his stride, her mind momentarily blanking on the witty observations she usually held in reserve.
"The... the air is better now," Lucius finally managed, though his voice was uncharacteristically tight.
"It is," Evelina replied simply.
Another dozen steps passed in silence. Lucius cleared his throat, a sound that seemed to echo off the stone cottages. "My mother... she seems very fond of you. She hasn't stopped talking about your 'bravery' since we arrived."
