The Worry

Aunora shouted a curse, slamming her fist into the wall. Sheetrock crumbled under her knuckles, the rough skin covering her fingers burning with pain, mirroring the rage boiling in her stomach.

Her mind was racing. Victor, her baby, was gone. He was in danger and there was nothing she could do about it. Aunora’s entire body itched with a vicious fury, unable to just sit at home and wait for Matthew to formulate a plan.

She needed to dig her teeth into something, someone, just to relieve herself of the tension mounting in her chest.

Shaking the dust off her hands, Aunora trudged out of her room, her wide shoulders stiff and her jaw clenched. She passed by the bathroom, pausing when a noise caught her attention.

Was someone...crying?

Worry forced her to move, pushing open the door and stepping inside. Her eyes widened.

“Umbra?”

Umbra hovered over the sink, face flushed and his remaining eye tinged red. His hair wasn't styled, falling by his neck and shoulders in silky clumps.

“Umbra, are you okay?” Aunora repeated, reaching out to touch his shoulder.

Umbra hugged his chest, his upper lip rising in a snarl. “Leave me alone! I'm trying to get ready.” The streak of kohl running down Umbra’s cheek told her otherwise.

Aunora shut the door, reclining against the bathroom wall. “We're alone. Just tell me what's up.”

Umbra pushed himself onto the counter, resting his face in his hands. His dress shirt was entirely unbuttoned, his tie hanging loosely around his neck, adding to his completely undone appearance.

“This is all my fault, Aunora. I shouldn't have let him out of my sight,” Umbra finally whispered, hiding his face.

Aunora sighed, averting her eyes. “He wanted to go, Umbra. You shouldn't blame yourself for this. Right now we need to focus on getting him home.”

Awkwardly, she patted Umbra on the shoulder, only to be taken by surprise when Umbra threw his arms around her.

“Aunora, I'm terrified.”

“I am too,” she murmured, resting her hand on Umbra’s back, “But I'm ready to tear apart anyone holding Victor limb from limb.”

Nodding, the corners of Umbra’s mouth rose into an unsteady smile. “I'm ready too.”

Aunora handled Umbra a washcloth, returning his smirk. “Let's get you cleaned up and head downstairs.”

Wiping his face and fixing his clothes, Umbra stood up, walking into the hall with Aunora by his side. They nearly stumbled into Seraph and Esper, who waited nervously by the door.

“Father, is Victor going to be okay?” Seraph asked, his pink eyes filled with concern.

Umbra touched the patch covering his right eye. “We’re going to make sure he is.” There was no hint of his previous breakdown visible, replaced by a confident, all-encompassing mask.

“Mr. Matthew mentioned an attack. I must go, you will need my healing magic,” Esper said, clinging to Umbra’s sleeve.

Umbra frowned, reluctance weighing down his shoulders. “I suppose you're right. I don't want to put you in harm’s way, but we need you.”

“I am also a valuable team member,” Seraph said insistently, “With Victor gone, I am one of the powerful magic fighters we have.”

“No,” Umbra said simply. Aunora noticed his fist clenching. “I refuse to have every single one of my kids in danger like this. I've already lost Victor.”

The feathers on Seraph’s wings seemed to puff out. “I am very sorry, Father, but I do not agree with that decision. Victor is my brother, and I intend to see that he's safe with my own hands.”

Fire burned in Seraph’s eyes, a passion that surprised Umbra. His expression darkened as he laid a hand on Seraph’s cheek, shaking his head.

“Fine, but you're to follow every order I give you, understand?”

Author's Note- CAN WE DISCUSS HOW AUNORA AND UMBRA HAVE COME SO FAR IN THEIR FRIENDSHIP

and ser...my bby...

just another little calm character buildling chapter before the action starts ;)