The note arrived at Villa 4 before the seventh hour.
Mara received it from the administrative courier, signed the acknowledgment band, and set the envelope on the table at Vane's place before he came downstairs. She said nothing. She went back to the ledger.
He saw it when he sat down. Heavy paper. Dark wax seal. The sigil he had not seen since first year — a sun eclipsed by a moon.
He looked at Mara.
She was writing in the accounts column with her back slightly toward him, which was how Mara handled things she had already processed and was not going to comment on unless asked.
He opened the envelope.
Inside: four words in Evangeline's hand. Not administrative script. Her actual handwriting — angular, unhurried.
The greenhouse. Third hour.
He ate breakfast. The blend was the fourth version. The bird was on the wall with frost on his shoulders. He sat with all of this until the bowl was empty, then put on his coat.
Mara looked up.
"Third hour," he said.
