Torin slowly came back to his senses.
His head throbbed.
His vision blurred in and out as his eyes struggled to stay open.
"What the…"
He pushed himself up slightly, wincing.
"Where am I?"
"A rooftop."
The voice was sharp.
Flat.
Torin flinched before turning toward it.
A drink flew toward him.
"Here."
Torin fumbled, barely managing to catch it.
His eyes lifted.
A boy sat a short distance away—shaggy black hair, mismatched eyes. One sky blue, the other deep jade.
"…You saved—"
"Save your thanks," Lucian cut in. "I did what I had to. I wasn't about to leave you to die."
Torin blinked.
So… you did save me.
Lucian didn't look at him.
Didn't care to.
He's stupid… but he might have some use.
"Sorry about them," Torin said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They're always like that."
No response.
Torin's gaze dropped.
"It's because of my dad…"
He hesitated.
"…He worked for Derin's family. Tried to kill him."
A pause.
"…Didn't end well."
Torin forced a laugh.
It came out hollow.
"Now me and my mum just kinda… take it… "
"…I'm sorry about th-"
"Don't apologise."
Lucian's voice cut through him like a blade.
Torin froze.
Lucian stood, stretching slightly as he looked out over the city.
The wind brushed past him. His black hair swaying, his mismatched eyes observing the world below him.
Pathetic.
And yet… he didn't run.
"…Listen," Lucian said after a moment.
He turned.
Torin's heart began to pound.
"I've been thinking."
A pause.
Reckless.
Naive.
…Useful.
"I'll take you on."
Torin's breath caught.
"As… what?" he asked, barely containing himself.
"You're annoying…"
Lucian's gaze lingered on him for a moment.
"…but you might have some use."