Nocturne | ONC 2024

Fifteen: House Arrest

The silence in the room was stifling. Aaron thought he might suffocate on it, but he couldn't seem to settle on the right question to break it. It wasn't that he had many; he knew if he asked the right one, Nikolai would have to explain everything or admit that he was lying about something, but he couldn't put his finger on what, exactly, that question needed to be.

The sorcerer had left minutes ago, leaving them alone with the sluggish ticking of the clock over the desk, running three hours behind.

"What did he mean," he finally settled on, "by some to lose?"

Nikolai didn't look at him. He still hadn't sat down, but was staring through the office blinds and down to the street below.

"You looked uncomfortable," Aaron pressed. "You never look uncomfortable. But you didn't stop me making the deal. Are you here to help me or not?"

A violet glance. "You won't miss it."

"Goddamnit, Nikolai. Would a straight answer fucking kill you?" He paused. "Again?"

"Very clever, Evans."

"I wasn't making a joke." He scowled. "You're considerably longer-lived than I will ever be. Is it something you think I won't miss, by your standards, or something I actually won't miss?"

"It would not be in your interests to miss it. It's not a loss that will harm you, particularly, unless it ever occurred to you to want it."

"I swear to god, Meier..."

They were interrupted by the entrance of Coran Simms, who had a small, knowing smirk on his face. Blood rushed to Aaron's cheeks.

But the werewolf made no mention of the exchange he'd clearly overheard. He only turned to Aaron and said, simply, "Yes."

"It was?" He wasn't sure whether to be happy or terrified. "I suppose I'd have to sacrifice a condition in exchange for specifics."

"You'd certainly add interest to your payment," Simms said neutrally.

"No," Nikolai said, as Aaron opened his mouth again. The vampire was so forceful in his interruption that Aaron actually did shut up, despite how furious he was with the man. "That's a line I won't let you cross, Evans. The price won't be worth it."

"Fine," he spat bitterly, once the surprise had worn off. He tried not to scowl at Simms. "Thanks."

"He'll call the favour in when he has something he wants," the werewolf replied lazily, waving them off and seeming unfazed by Aaron's tone. "You know the way out, Meier."

Aaron followed on Nikolai's heels as the vampire led the way out of the shop and back onto the street where his car waited. If he noticed that Aaron was glaring holes into his back, he showed no sign. There was no pressure in his head this time as they drove away, the sorcerer clearly having turned his attention elsewhere for now, and Aaron suppressed a shudder. The thought of ever seeing the Dead man again was nauseating.

"So," he forced out, because he couldn't think about what he'd just done or he'd vomit, "it was a Nocturne."

Nikolai said nothing.

Aaron frowned, thinking of black eyes and red lips. "It would be far too helpful for me if it was Tana. Much as that would be two birds with one very comforting stone." He sat back. "And we'd never get them to hand over their amulets, even if that would work. If the murderer couldn't scramble security footage, they'd probably stop until they got them back, and we'd be none the wiser." He turned to Nikolai. "I don't suppose you know of anyone who could unscramble footage?"