The heavy wooden door of the villa knocked right at the ninth hour.
Mara stopped chopping vegetables at the kitchen counter. She walked over and opened the door, revealing the two figures standing on the cold garden path. She simply ran her usual brutal visual inventory over both of them with flat amber eyes, registered that they were unharmed, and took a step back into the foyer. It was her version of a warm welcome.
Isaac stepped inside carrying a small package wrapped in oiled parchment. Lyra followed close behind him, both of her heavy glass ledgers tucked securely under her arm. They stood in the entrance for a moment, lingering the way people do when returning to a familiar room they have not seen in a very long time.
Mara walked straight back to her cutting board. "Sit down," she called over her shoulder. "I am making more tea."
Isaac set the parchment package gently on the center of the wooden table. Then he looked at Vane.
