The Moons Daughter 1

The scent of rain on asphalt greeted me as I stepped off the train, a familiar aroma that instantly transported me back to my childhood. Portwood hadn't changed much in the years I'd been away. The same cobblestone streets, the same ivy-covered buildings, and the same sense of quiet anticipation that always seemed to hang in the air.

I adjusted the strap of my satchel and took a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs and calming the flutter of nerves in my stomach. Returning home after so many years was surreal, especially under these circumstances. A sabbatical from the university had seemed like a good idea at the time-a chance to focus on my research without the distractions of city life. But now, standing here, I wasn't so sure.

"Aria!" a voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turned to see my older brother, Grant, weaving through the crowd with a grin that could light up the darkest room. His sandy hair was tousled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he enveloped me in a bear hug.

"Welcome home, sis," he said, his voice warm and familiar.

"Thanks, Grant," I replied, hugging him back. "It's good to see you."

He pulled back, holding me at arm's length to study me. "You look the same. Maybe a bit more... professor-y."

I laughed. "Is that your way of saying I look tired?"

"Not at all," he said, grabbing my suitcase. "Come on, let's get you home."

As we walked to his car, I couldn't help but notice how little Portwood had changed. The quaint shops, the friendly faces, the sense of community-it was all still here. Yet, there was something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. A subtle shift in the air, a tension that hadn't been there before.

"How's everything been?" I asked, sliding into the passenger seat.

Grant shrugged as he started the engine. "Same old, same old. Work's busy, but that's nothing new."

"And how's Lucien?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Grant shot me a glance, a smirk playing on his lips. "Still brooding and mysterious, as always."

I rolled my eyes. "Some things never change."

Lucien Thorne had been Grant's best friend since childhood. Growing up, he'd been like an older brother to me-albeit a very aloof and enigmatic one. I hadn't seen him in years, not since I left for college. The thought of seeing him again stirred something inside me, a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"He's been asking about you," Grant said, breaking the silence.

"Oh?" I replied, feigning indifference.