Friend Of Her Enemy

Nicolas saw Aurelie coming towards the stairs before she saw him. The expression on her face was something new to him. Instead of her normal airy self, she looked burdened. There was the saddest yet most fiery look in her eyes. Her jaw was set. Her footsteps were controlled but he could tell she was fleeing from something.

As she set her feet at the top of the staircase, she looked down and their eyes met. The fire in her eyes, the sadness and the determination were immediately replaced with surprise and the barest hint of a smile touched her face. She opened her mouth as if to say something but she was spun around by a man Nico had not seen until that moment. He could not see the man's face but he could tell that he was older and dressed in the finest of material.

He was immediately concerned for her. Was this man bothering her? He was responsible for her so he had to be the one to protect her. He took two steps at a time up the stairs to get to her quicker.