The square had emptied. The committee had done their work, the monster's body was gone, and the festival continued a few streets away, muffled and distant. Nero stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the last of the crowd disperse. Beside him, Lux stretched his arms above his head, cracking his neck.
"Well," Lux said. "That was something."
Nero nodded. "It was."
Khione stepped away from the group, her wand disappearing into her sleeve. "I'm going to train," she said. Her eyes met Nero's for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Then she turned and walked toward the training grounds, her black skirts swishing against the stone.
Adam cracked his knuckles. "Same. I need to hit something."
He glanced at Blake. "You coming?"
Blake yawned, then nodded. "Might as well. Nothing else to do."
