𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𖥸 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨

010 | Falling Out

     "Why are we going on a walk again?"

     Luca was leading Kyran, Gabriel, and Pythios outside, wrapping his hands in bandages due to the injuries he had received from his mission. Kyran was at his side, looking a bit tired, but walking confidently. He knew it was the result of the anesthetic that still coursed through her veins. That, and he knew she was in pain from the surgery to insert her new arm.

      "Because we all need some fresh air," Gabriel answered for him as he remained at the end of the group.

     "But I have work to do. People to spy on. I can't really push that off forever," Pythios told them as he kept pace and didn't fall behind. He didn't seem like he was in a good mood.

     "You can do that later. You're not the only one with work to do anyway," Luca reminded him. He, himself, had people to assassinate but frankly he wasn't in the mood to. He had missed enough leaving and he didn't want anything else to happen while he was away.

     "I feel like I've been run over by a horse." Kyran groaned, lifting the metal hand to touch her face.

     "Usually the case for someone who's been under anesthesia. How's that new arm treating you?" Luca asked. "Like it?"

     Kyran glanced at him silently. "I suppose so. The area where it connects to bone hurts a lot. The doctors said I should take the painkillers they gave me, but I'm sick of my blood being pumped full of drugs. At this rate, I'll be an addict before I turn eighteen."

     "Er. . . Well, I don't know what to say other than that sucks," Luca responded as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I can't imagine losing an arm."

     The redhead shrugged her shoulders, glancing back as she caught sight of her snake following. Gabriel had told Luca that Sīdereus was being moody, and he didn't seem to want to ride on Kyran's neck despite looking just as tired as she was.
    
      A part of him wondered why, but he knew it wasn't his place to ask. He internally cursed himself for taking so long to assassinate the last of his targets. He got caught up with some other problems, and as a result, ended up arriving at the palace at midnight. Now everything seemed to almost feel distant to him, like something happened but he wasn't sure exactly what.

     Kyran was strangely quiet, and Luca noticed the cuts on her cheek, though one harsh glare from the redhead caused him not to question it. Although, curiosity got the better of him. 

      "What's the matter?" He asked her, raising an eyebrow at her sudden change of mood. He didn't ask her about the cuts quite yet.

      Kyran didn't look at him, focusing on the path in front of them instead. "Pardon?"

     "Why the sudden change of attitude?" 
   
      Gabriel and Pythios said nothing, only watched with unreadable expressions. They knew better than to interfere.

     "There's nothing wrong." Kyran said defensively, picking at her sleeve and looking anywhere but at him.

     "I think there is if you're avoiding eye contact." Normally, she always looked him in the eye when she was talking. But now. . .

     "I just have a lot on my mind, is all."

     "Hmmm." Luca's expression was thoughtful as they continued to walk. "Okay then. Would you maybe like to talk about it? While we're out here and all?" 

     "No." Kyran kicked a pebble as she walked, her tone dull. She wasn't looking at him at all now, her eyes fixed on the distance.

     "Uhh okay then." Luca tried to brush it off as nothing.  "Defensive much."