Private Lab time

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Arkania
Up in the mountains
2 week after their last date

Delvins space ship landed on the space dock to his lab he had nitya with him giving her his coat so she could stay warm the air was notoriously cold up here. As they walked to his lab what looked like a simple brick one story building on the outside. As they approached the building his assistant walked out a human replica droid named Ashley "sir jeth miss xeraic" she said as she met them then turned on her heel walking with them. "I have made sure everything we discussed has been prepared and cataloged" she said as they entered the single brick building there was a silver plated c3 protocol droid standing there. "Much appreciated miss chambers now if you would accompany us to make sure nityas safety you know how i can get" delvin said.

They stood in what looked to be a sterile white reception room similar to a waiting room in a hospital "of course sir jeth" she said. As the protocol droid spoke up "sir jeth miss chambers who is the young woman with you" the droid spoke up. Delvin turned to look at the droid "this is nitya xeraic she should be on the visitor log miss chambers should have logged her as a guest" he said as the droid punched in her name. Ashley looked at nitya "we haven't been introduced my name is Ashley chambers i am his personal lab assistant" she said standing there she leaned in closer to nitya. "Just between us sir jeth has been nervous about your arrival here your the first woman he's brought here and he's worried his work might scare you off" she whispered in nityas ear as delvin. Walked to the desk the protocol droid was at as he filled out some forms.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya stepped down from the ship with measured care, the cold air of Arkania biting sharper than she had expected as it swept in from the mountains. She accepted Delvin's coat without hesitation, drawing it around herself and offering him a quiet, appreciative glance. The chill did not unsettle her, but it was different from Oralis Prime's cool stillness. This cold was precise, cutting, almost clinical, and she noted it with the same calm curiosity she brought to everything else.

As they approached the lab, her gaze lingered on the building's unassuming exterior. Brick. Simple. Almost deliberately modest. It told her far more about Delvin than any towering spire or glass-and-steel complex might have. This was a place built for function, not spectacle. For focus.

Inside, the sterility of the reception space did not faze her. White walls, controlled lighting, the faint hum of systems beneath the silence. She had walked through Jedi facilities, medical wings, and research sanctums before. There was comfort, in its own way, in environments that were honest about what they were meant to be.

She inclined her head politely to Ashley when she was addressed, golden eyes attentive rather than guarded.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ashley," Nitya said warmly. "Thank you for looking out for me."

When the assistant leaned closer to whisper, Nitya listened without surprise. If anything, the admission softened her expression. She glanced briefly toward Delvin, where he stood at the desk, focused and unaware, then back to Ashley.

"You don't need to worry," she replied quietly, her voice gentle but certain. "I came here to understand him, not to be impressed or frightened. His work is part of who he is. I wouldn't have agreed to come if I wasn't willing to see that."

There was no judgment in her tone, only reassurance.

She straightened as the introductions finished, letting her attention return fully to the space around them. The lab did not feel hostile to her. It felt intense, purposeful. A place where questions were asked carefully and answers mattered.

Turning slightly toward Delvin as he finished with the forms, she offered him a small, steady smile.

"You don't need to shield me," Nitya said simply. "I'm here because I want to be. Show me what matters to you."

She drew his coat a bit closer around herself, the gesture grounding rather than protective.

"And if this place is where your mind comes alive," she added softly, "then I'm glad to finally see it."

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Ashley stood there and smiled "he cares about you greatly he's just not good at showing it your probably even the first he's shown genuine affection for maybe even love for" Ashley said standing there. As she looked at nitya "i can see why you are a gorgeous woman with looks to spare" Ashley stated.

As delvin approached finishing the forms he looked at the two women well one woman and a droid but that was semantics. "I am not trying to shield you nitya I promise but you have to be aware of the dangers further in" delvin said standing there his demeanor and aura changed. As he stood there to be more serious "there are creatures under stasis that if they are freed could kill someone or a few people that are kept for study" he said as Ashley walked towards a far wall call an elevator.

"There are also more than a few deadly diseases that are being studied aswell including the rakghoul plague and the blackwing virus i can't strain enough that you observe but stay by either my side or Ashley's side at all times" he said looking at her. He didn't want her to get hurt or worse especially here of all places. The floor opened up and an elevator appeared as delvin walked towards it hopefully with nitya in tow as they got onto the elevator Ashley stood to one side of nitya and delvin to her other side.

Aa the elevator lowered the lab below them was viewable through a transperasteel barrier as scientists of several species stood consulting eachother in a large gathering area. With trees and some grass the walls where still white and sterile as the scientists where in small groups looking over data pads full of data as "delvin pulls minds from across the galaxy that want to improve the galaxy through science he doesn't care about their race" Ashley spoke up before delvin could. As they exchanged glances delvin disapproved there where numerous doors leading to other areas of the larger complex.

Smaller labs some larger others more average sized doors made of durasteel as they got to the level the other scientists where at Two scientists walked up to delvin one a chiss male and the other a twilek female. "Sir we tested the new batch of samples for the cloned organs but we got some troubling results if you could look at them with us" delvin nodded in agreement as they walked off delvins aura felt like he was right at home. Ashley shook her head "that didn't take long if you want watch him we better go catch up or do you want a tour of the facility" she asked ready to move for either asnwer

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya listened without interrupting, absorbing the warnings with the same steady attention she brought to Force rituals and survival trials alike. There was no fear in her expression, only respect for the gravity of what Delvin was responsible for here. When he finished, she inclined her head in a small, deliberate nod.

"I understand," she said calmly. "I will stay with you or Ashley at all times. I will observe only."

Her gaze met Delvin's briefly, not challenging, not dismissive, but reassuring. She trusted him enough to take his caution seriously, and she would not test boundaries for the sake of curiosity.

As the elevator descended, her golden eyes tracked the lab below with quiet interest. The scale of it was impressive, but what caught her attention more was the people. The diversity. The way they clustered around shared problems rather than divided lines. Ashley's explanation earned a thoughtful hum.

"That much is clear," Nitya replied softly. "It feels… purposeful. Focused. Like a place built to solve things, not posture."

When the scientists approached Delvin and drew him away, she did not follow immediately. Instead, she remained exactly where she was, hands loosely folded, posture relaxed but attentive. Delvin's shift was noticeable to her. This was where he belonged when his mind turned outward, where responsibility and intellect aligned.

She turned to Ashley when the question was posed, offering her a gentle smile that carried no impatience.

"If you don't mind," Nitya said evenly, "I think it would be best if we stay close enough that I can observe without interrupting. A tour can come later. I would like to see him at work, but from a respectful distance."

Her eyes flicked briefly toward Delvin and the two scientists, then back to Ashley.

"I am a guest here," she added quietly. "And I intend to remain one."

There was no hesitation in her voice, only calm resolve, as she waited for Ashley to lead the way.

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Ashley nodded "you are every bit the woman sir jeth described you as i can see why he appreciates your company so much" she offered. As they walked delvin was ahead of them in the hallway he was talking with the two scientists beside him there was a hint of joy in his dark aura. As he turned to see Ashley and nitya behind him he gave nitya a nod staying in toe with the other two scientists listening to them speak. They where in a long hallway as white and sterile as the rest of the complex "as sir jeth said we deal with many serious issues here but we also deal with some minor issues aswell" she offered.

Ashley continued walking with nitya as they passed an open door with various tables with dismantled blasters of various types as engineers whent over the various parts. Delvin with the two scientists took a left "the work the two scientists who squandered sir jeth away are working on prototype organs that are meant to replace damaged organs in people with chronic conditions but the new organs are meant to be stronger and disease and damage resistant" Ashley offered.

Delvin with the two scientists in toe entered a lab Ashley and nitya entered moments later. As delvin studied the holocomputers data his mind was at work as his hands moved across the key board. Looking over the data as the two scientists waited on delvins word delvin then moved to the organs that where growing. "They shouldn't be showing signs of decay like this are we sure that the participant was healthy besides the pancreas" delvin asked looking at the two scientists "besides the affected pancreas he is the picture of health" the chiss scientist spoke up first delvin looked at the chiss.

"Schedule him an appointment here soon I will examine him myself" delvin Spoke up as he cut a sliver of damaged pancreas and put it under a microscope examining it as he sat there as he moved the sliver of organ around. Trying see if he could see a reason as to why necrosis he set it. "He hasn't been this focused since before he met you miss xeraic you occupy much of his mind" she said quiet enough that delvin couldn't hear but loud enough for Natya to hear.

"He is very detail oriented he likes things to be perfect and cross examines everything until it is" Ashley said as she looked at natya. Before looking back at delvin who was laser focused on the microscope.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya followed without hesitation, keeping the measured pace Ashley set and remaining exactly where she was meant to be. The sterility of the halls did not trouble her; she had walked through places far more dangerous that wore gentler faces. Here, at least, the risks were named honestly.

Her gaze moved briefly toward the open lab with dismantled blasters, then back ahead. She listened rather than stared, absorbing the rhythm of the place, the way everyone seemed to move with intent rather than urgency.

When Ashley spoke quietly to her, Nitya did not look away from Delvin at first. She watched him as he worked, the shift in him unmistakable. This was not the man who had stood beneath the stars with her, but it was no less genuine. His focus was absolute, his presence sharpened into something precise and purposeful. There was no performance in it. Only responsibility.

After a moment, she inclined her head slightly toward Ashley, her voice low enough to remain private.

"I can see that," Nitya replied softly. "This place matters to him. So do the people who depend on the work done here."

She paused, eyes still resting on Delvin as he examined the sample beneath the microscope.

"He doesn't need perfection," she continued gently. "He needs honesty, patience, and the freedom to think without interruption. That is where he does his best work."

Her expression warmed, not possessive, not proud in a way that claimed him, but quietly appreciative.

"If I occupy his thoughts at all," she added after a breath, "it is only because he allows it. I would never wish to take him away from what gives him purpose."

She shifted her attention back to Ashley then, posture still composed, hands relaxed at her sides.

"Thank you for watching out for him," Nitya said sincerely. "I know that kind of loyalty does not come easily."

With that, she fell silent again, content to remain where she was, observing Delvin at work without intruding, exactly as she had promised.

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin studied the sample with a focus that would put droids to shame as he looked over every atom of the sample he took he wanted answers . He was aware of nitya and Ashley watching him as the chiss was busy on his data pad in communication with the subject. As the female twilek was preparing more samples for delvin to use for other tests Ashley stood there "those are all things he demands true but he also demands the best out of all those who work under him but he will never raise his voice unless someone shows complete incompetence that puts the rest of the lab in grave danger" she said standing there as delvin stood up straight.

He took another sample and walked over to a genetic sequencer setting it inside he started it up watching the display as he stood there examining everything as his eyes watched everything on the screen darting around as his mind raced. "He does love you in his own way i know the two of you haven't been seeing eachother very long but" she said standing there. "The way his eyes lit up when I mentioned you coming here the way he seems lighter on his feet when your around" she stated.

"Im just doing what im programmed to do although part of this research is going to go into giving me an organic body i think thats why he has taken such an interest in it" she said standing there. "We first met when I tried to assassinate him I failed obviously" she stated "he repaired me made me better in many ways" she said looking at him. "But he took a droid that was meant to be used for assassination and gave me free will to choose what I wanted to be i wanted to be organic" she said as delvin stood there.

"I think he took my wish as a challenge but either way he downloaded everything he knew about science into my partially cybernetic brain so I could help him in his research" she said. Standing there keeping her voice low so delvin wouldn't hear them talk "he loves challenge I think he sees your connection with him as one two people from completely different walks of live with radically different views of the galaxy I think he wants to see if you two will work out" she offered.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya remained still as Ashley spoke, her attention never leaving Delvin for long. She listened without interruption, without surprise, and without the instinct to judge. When Ashley finished, Nitya let out a quiet breath before answering, keeping her voice low and measured so it would not carry across the lab.

"He does not need to love loudly," she said softly. "Some people love through attention, through responsibility, through the care they take in doing things correctly. I recognize that language."

Her gaze followed Delvin as he moved from instrument to instrument, the intensity of his focus almost tangible. There was no jealousy in her expression, no sense of ownership, only understanding.

"I am not here to change him," Nitya continued. "Nor to pull him away from what gives his life meaning. If this connection works, it will be because we allow one another to remain exactly who we are."

At Ashley's confession, her eyes shifted at last, meeting the assistant's with steady calm. There was no shock in her face, only quiet acknowledgement.

"He gave you a choice," Nitya said after a moment. "That matters. More than what you were built to be."

She considered Ashley's words about challenge, about difference, and nodded once.

"Perhaps that is what draws him," she agreed gently. "But I am not something to be solved, and neither is he. If we walk forward, it will be with patience, not curiosity alone."

Her attention returned to Delvin then, watching the subtle movements of his hands, the way his posture straightened when he thought he might be close to an answer.

"And if he is lighter when I am here," she added quietly, "then I will take that as a gift, not a promise."

She folded her hands loosely in front of her, composed and present.

"For now," Nitya said, almost to herself, "it is enough to stand beside him and let him work."

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Ashley stood there watching delvin as she listened to nitya speak "you are wise beyond your years miss xeraic that appeals to sir jeth more than an appearance ever could" she said as delvins expression changed. Subtly as he stood there the two other scientists standing beside him looking at the screen as well delvin spoke to them. Ashley looked to nitya "has he warned you about his family yet" she asked. Assuming that delvin hadn't and hearing her response "they are a minor Noble house on the planet they want to rope delvin his company and this lab into their house and drain his work for all its worth" she said standing there.

Delvin approached after speaking to the other two scientists "I hear you beat me in the warning of my family" he said. Standing there looking at the two women he then looked at nitya "they will try and get to me through you i am afraid but I will make it clear that you will not be a pawn in their schemes" he said standing there.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya did not shift her stance when the subject turned to Delvin's family. If anything, she grew a touch more still, her expression thoughtful rather than alarmed, golden eyes steady as she listened first to Ashley and then to Delvin himself.

"I suspected as much," she said quietly, not accusing, not surprised. "Power attracts hands that want to claim it. Especially when it is built through intellect instead of inheritance."

Her gaze moved briefly to Delvin, not to seek reassurance, but to acknowledge his words and the intent behind them. There was no fear in her expression, only clarity.

"I have no interest in becoming a lever for anyone," Nitya continued calmly. "I did not come here to be impressed by status or persuaded by lineage. I came because I wanted to understand the work you do and because I trust you to tell me when something concerns my safety or my autonomy."

She inclined her head slightly, a gesture of quiet resolve rather than submission.

"If they attempt to reach you through me, they will find very little to grasp. I have lived long enough among powerful people to recognize manipulation when it comes dressed as concern or opportunity."

Her eyes softened just a fraction as she looked back at Delvin.

"And I appreciate you saying it plainly. Not because I believe you would use me, but because it tells me you see me as someone who deserves to be protected from that kind of pressure rather than expected to endure it."

Only then did she glance back at Ashley, composed and courteous.

"Thank you for the warning," Nitya said simply. "It was given in good faith, and I take it as such."

She remained where she was, close but not clinging, her presence steady.

"I am not fragile," she added gently, to both of them. "But I am careful. And I do not belong to anyone's house, plans, or ambitions. If I am here, it is by choice."

Her attention returned fully to Delvin, quiet confidence anchoring her words.

"And I trust you to make that clear to them."

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin was impressed with nityas response to say the least "I will definitely do that but i doubt they will listen" he said standing there. Ashley also stood there listening "I will make a note for you to do that sir" she said standing there as she tapped on her datapad.


Delvin looked at nitya "no one here thinks you're fragile nitya i know better than that and so does Ashley we just want your safety and to keep you informed" he said standing there. As he looked between the two women "so what has Ashley told you about this place" he asked he held great respect for nitya she knew what she wanted. And wasn't afraid to say it plus she had found her peace much like delvin had found his even his made the galaxy both safer and worse at the same time.

"So what has miss chambers shown you and told you nitya so I dont go over it again" he asked looking at them both awaiting an answer. As Ashley typed away on her datapad she was momentarily distracted and was not paying attention to them.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya turned fully toward Delvin, her posture easy and unguarded, the earlier seriousness settling into something warmer without losing its composure. She did not rush to answer, as if choosing her words with the same care he applied to his work.

"Ashley has been thorough," she said gently. "She showed me the primary research corridors, explained the organ replication project and its goals, and gave me a broader sense of how the lab functions as a whole. I have learned that this place runs on precision, restraint, and an expectation of excellence rather than fear." Her eyes flicked briefly toward Ashley, not unkindly. "And that those who work here do so because they believe in what is being built, not because they are compelled."

Her gaze returned to Delvin, steady and sincere.

"She also spoke of you," Nitya added, her tone careful and respectful. "Of your standards. Your focus. Of how deeply you invest yourself in your work and the people who share in it."

There was no teasing in her expression, only quiet honesty as she met his eyes.

"But if there is anything she explained that you would rather tell me yourself," she continued softly, "I would welcome that."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Not because I need clarification, but because time spent with you, even in the middle of your work, feels intentional. Rare."

She inclined her head slightly, a small gesture of invitation rather than expectation.

"If it costs you a few extra minutes of your day, I would consider that time well spent."

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin stood there listening as nitya spoke about what Ashley told her delvin appreciated the fact that he allowed Ashley to live. All those years ago "I assume she told you that she was sent to assassinate me but I doubt she told you how she tried to assassinate me" he said standing there.

"She tried to seduce me little did she or those who sent her know im not interested in physical relationships especially spontaneous physical relationships" he said as ashley looked at him before returning to her data pad. "When that failed she attacked me and I assume she told you what happened after that" he said standing there he he been paying attention to their conversation he was used to multi-tasking. But few realized how good he was at it when he was working he picked up most of the topica of their conversation.

Delvin actually looked at nitya "I will always make time for you nitya no matter what im doing your special to me" he offered genuinely as they stood there. "Let me show you to my private lab nitya" he offered "or would you rather have me show you around some more" he offered standing there beside her.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya listened without interruption, her expression composed and attentive as Delvin spoke, taking in the weight of what he shared without judgment. There was no surprise in her eyes at Ashley's past, only a quiet understanding that the galaxy often forged strange beginnings from violence and necessity.

When he finished, she turned fully toward him and offered a warm, steady smile, the kind that carried reassurance rather than expectation.

"Whatever you are willing to do," she said gently. "I am your guest here, Delvin. I will not demand anything of you."

Her gaze softened, lingering on his face with calm sincerity.

"Whether that means seeing more of the lab, or stepping into a space that matters more personally to you, I am content simply to be here and to share the time you choose to give."

She inclined her head slightly, an easy gesture of trust.

"Lead on."

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin stood with her listening to her as she did for him as he led on ashley followed in step still sending messages as he walked with nitya by his side. "Everything Ashley told you is true we do work for the betterment of the galaxy as much as the galaxy doesn't want to be fixed" he said standing there walking beside her.

As they walked to a wall panel at the end of what appears to be a dead end hall way delvin put his hand against it as it scanned his hand before the panel slid back heavily then segmented. Into either side he looked to nitya as they walked in there stood cutting edge technology in gene sequencing medical technology and research. As they walked in his office was off the right there was a shelving unit covered in old notebooks and sith holocrons and artifacts and to the left there was another room from what she could see where large cryotubes and cloning tubes.

Ashley stayed in the hallway as the door shut delvin turning back to nitya smiling. "This is where I do my work my own temple if you will" I said looking at her.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya paused just inside the threshold as the concealed doors sealed behind them, the soft hum of machinery settling into the space like a steady heartbeat. She did not speak at first, choosing instead to take it all in properly.

The precision of the instruments, the quiet glow of holoscreens, the shelves of notebooks worn by time and use, and the strange but deliberate coexistence of Sith artifacts alongside medical technology. History and healing, side by side. The room was sterile in its design, controlled and disciplined, yet not cold. There was an intention here. Purpose.

Her golden eyes moved slowly across the space before returning to Delvin, her expression thoughtful and warm.

"I can feel that," she said at last, her voice calm and sincere. "Not only through the Force, but through the care you've put into this place. This isn't just a lab. It's where you think. Where you question. Where you decide what you are willing to take responsibility for."

She stepped a little farther in, unhurried, respectful.

"This feels less like a place of work and more like a reflection of you," Nitya continued. "A space built for understanding rather than control. For trying to mend what the galaxy keeps breaking."

Her gaze lingered briefly on the notebooks, then the artifacts, before returning to him.

"I'm honored you brought me here," she said quietly. "It feels personal. And fitting."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"A scientist's temple," she added gently. "Not meant for reverence, but for purpose."

After a moment, she reached for his hand, giving it a soft, reassuring squeeze.

"Show me," she said simply.

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin stood there "I can do almost anything genetically here i can grow you a clone body of your idealized self" he offered as. He turned to look at her "i can make new life from a hair follicle or a skin flake" he said standing there he was being honest. As he began walking through the cryotubes showing monsters he had created or gathered there was even a terentatek kn storage. Sensing her emotions he would get a sense of who she was. As sith alchemy table came into view sith tools that made the darkside palpable to the senses.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

Nitya followed him quietly, her steps measured as the cryotubes came into view. The shapes suspended within them were impressive in their own right, terrible and fascinating all at once, but she did not recoil. She had seen war. She had seen creatures born of darker intentions. Monsters did not unsettle her the way unseen currents did.

It was when they passed the alchemical table that she slowed.

The shift in the air was subtle, but unmistakable. Not temperature, not sound. Presence.

Her shoulders tightened almost imperceptibly and she drew in a slow breath as her golden eyes settled on the Sith instruments laid out with clinical order. The Force felt heavier here, coiled and watchful. Not wild. Contained. But still dark.

Without thinking, she rubbed her hands slowly along her upper arms, as though brushing away a chill that had nothing to do with Arkania's mountain air.

"You study everything," she said quietly, not accusing, simply observing.

Her gaze moved from the tools back to him.

"These pieces carry more than knowledge. They carry intent. Residue." She paused, steady but honest. "I can feel it."

Another slow breath, grounding herself.

"I am not afraid of your work, Delvin," she added gently. "But this… this hums differently."

Her fingers stilled against her arms as she held his gaze, composed but undeniably aware of what lingered in the room.

Delvin jeth

 

[Delvin jeth]

Nitya Xeraic

Delvin 'saw' the change in her almost instantly how she felt through the force and the way she acted it was all off as the tools on the table high quality but also made from sith alchemy. "Im sorry nitya I shouldn't have shown you this section." That's when he heard it a low but loud growl behind him as the creature he had been working on standing about 12 feet tall.

"Nitya I need you to run now" delvin said calmly but his voice full of urgency as he stood between his creation as it raised its clawed hands his claws looking like small blades and nitya delvin didn't have his lightsaber but he did have the force. As he began channeling the darkside into sith sorcery as the creature let out a loud roar then charged delvin threw a spear made of dark side energy made manifest at the creature.

Nitya would see ashley standing in the main portion of delvins lab as droid guards Ran past her Ashley would grab nitya as sirens could be heard "miss xeraic we need to get you to safety come with me" Ashley said as fighting and roaring could be heard Ashley looked at nitya "the best thing for you to do now is to get out of his way miss xeraic he will be fine he is in his lab nothing bad will happen to him" she said looking at nitya seriously as Ashley showed her to the elevator.

 

[Nitya Xeraic]

For a fraction of a second, Nitya did not move.

The growl seemed to vibrate through her bones, through the air itself, and the sudden surge of danger in the Force made her breath hitch as she turned and saw the creature rising behind Delvin. Instinct screamed at her to reach for him, to do something, anything, but his voice cut through the fear with unmistakable clarity.

Run.

She met his eyes.

There was no panic in them. No doubt. Only urgency and resolve.

Her hands tightened briefly at her sides, fingers curling into her sleeves as if grounding herself. Every part of her wanted to stay. To refuse. To argue. But she knew him well enough now to understand what he was asking of her.

Trust me.

When Ashley grasped her arm, Nitya did not resist.

She took one last look over her shoulder, watching as Delvin stepped forward, dark energy gathering around him, his focus absolute. The sight made her chest ache, but she forced herself to turn away.

"All right," she murmured softly, more to herself than anyone else. "All right."

Her voice was steady, even if her heart was not.

As they moved quickly toward the elevator, alarms blaring and guards rushing past, Nitya kept her gaze lowered, breathing slowly, deliberately, the way she had learned to do in moments of fear.

"I trust him," she said quietly to Ashley, her hand tightening around the fabric of Delvin's coat she still wore. "I just… hate leaving when he is in danger."

At the doors, she paused for the briefest moment and looked back once more, her golden eyes searching for him through the chaos.

Then she stepped inside.

"He'd better come back to me," she whispered under her breath, equal parts prayer and promise.

And the doors slid shut.

Delvin jeth