Act 2/6 of Chapter 1 - Wings of Justice, The Seraphim's Cracks

Rain pounded hard against the windows of Kavendish Enterprises, the weather echoing the feeling of a man inside the building. Julian Kavendish sat at his desk in his office, his head in his hands, tears streaming down his face. Four years, four years, he has been searching for the woman he once loved strongly enough that it scared him, and every time he felt the slightest bit of hope renewed about her whereabouts, it vanished like a ghost. The Pătrunsa Monastery was his last lead before everything went dark in his search, and when he got there himself, he was told by the monks and nuns that the only resident was Grand Master Ion Lupan, who he remembered to be his Aurora's blind grandfather. He asked for an audience with the Grand Master, but was denied further entrance into the monastery, which he begged for until they had to force him out with the eyes of the stone wolves glowing with a bright iridescent blue.

Finally, a man with long wavy silver hair with a matching beard and unseeing eyes appeared behind the monks and nuns, surprising them and Julian. He stood at six feet seven inches, just an inch shorter than Julian himself, holding an intricately woven staff and dressed all in white; his ceremonial robe, his sweatpants, everything. It was only when several of the nuns tried to convince the man to return to the monastery that Julian realised who he was, and so he spoke, desperate and foolish.

- Sir, please, I need to speak with you, it’s about your granddaughter—

- Silence…

The man looked in Julian’s direction, his eyes missing the latter’s face by a few inches, his expression guarded and drawn.

- How do you know of Aurora Lupan? And what business do you have to seek her out?

Seeing no option other than telling the truth, Julian answered with an abridged version of the story.

- I was one of her friends she made when she went to King’s College in London… the one who turned into something more than just that by her junior year… the one… the one who loved her without measure…

At that, Ion’s eyes softened, motioning for the monastery workers to let the younger man in, surprising them once again.

Julian was already walking towards the gate as Ion turned and headed back to the priory, motioning for Julian to follow him despite the protests of the nuns. The elder led him into a meditation chamber, where he proceeded to sit down. Julian followed suit, though a few feet in front of the man, out of respect. Ion smiled softly and asked Julian to tell the story of why he had come here. When the younger man finished his tale, a look of grief took over the older man’s face.

- All generations of my family were never great at accepting help from others, especially the last seven.

He let out a disheartened chuckle at that, making Julian think that this had happened several times.

- I’m so sorry, sir, I… I never knew… she never told me that this had happened before.

Ion shook his head, his smile turning genuine at the younger man’s concern.

- Your concern is for naut, Mr. Cavendish, I am just glad that you care enough for my granddaughter to come all this way to try and find her… that’s real love.

At that, Julian looked away, looked away, trying to hide his tears from the older man, along with a light blush dusting his cheeks and nose.

The elder sighed, his weathered hands outstretched towards the younger, a silent offer that was his to take if he chose so. Julian placed his hands in Ion’s, which the older man felt, calloused and steady.

- I cannot tell you where she is, Mr. Kavendish, for I myself do not know, but keep in mind that wherever or how far she goes, she will come back to you.

Julian nodded in understanding, but wanted to press further for more information, but he knew that he had been a burden on the man for longer than necessary. He thanked the Grand Master and went back to Manchester, England, to ponder his next actions.

Back in the present, he still sat crying at his desk, wondering how much longer he would have to wait for her to return to him on her own accord. Suddenly, his phone rang, and he grabbed it with such speed that he almost strained his hand. The call wasn’t from whom he expected, but he answered it nonetheless.

- Long time no talk, eh, Kat?

A giggle came from the other side of the line, particularly one of Katlyn Malike.

- Ha ha, of course, you make a joke like that. Word on the grapevine is that you’re looking for Rory, or that you have been looking for her for the past four years

Julian’s heart stopped when she said that, hoping for an answer from her, Aurora’s best friend.

- Do you know where she is? Where can I find her?

A pause came from Katlyn, a long one, finally broken by a defeated sigh.

- I do, but…

- But what, Katlyn? Where is she?

Another sigh, then pleading.

- Look, I can’t tell you where she is because I promised her I wouldn’t, but she’s safe... I promise…

A choked sob escaped Julian, his hand clenching around his phone, almost on the verge of breaking it.

- Please, Kat, just tell me where she is; she won’t know it came from you, I swear.

Another beat of silence, followed by a third sigh.

- The most I can tell you is that she’s staying in an apartment with me, I’m keeping her as safe as I can, I promise... just, don’t look for her…

Julian’s jaw clenched with inner turmoil, knowing that he might lose Aurora completely if he went looking for her. This time, it was he who let out a sigh of defeat, hoping that he was making the right decision.

- Alright, I won’t.. just tell her- oh, never mind…

What message would he even want to pass on from him to Katlyn to Aurora? That he loves and misses her with every fiber of his being? That he just wants her to come home to him?

- Thanks, Julian, and... good luck...